How Geotechnics Can Speed Up Decarbonisation with the Help of Clients

Foundation contractors have made considerable progresses in sustainability over the past few years, such as employees awareness campaign, training, moving into action, solutions roll-out (e.g. low carbon concrete, recycled steel), and this, in several lines: acting for the climate, optimizing resources thanks to circular economy, preservation of natural environments… But some environmental indicators have reached a plateau, and some of us have felt again on the business-as-usual status-quo. Despite all our efforts, it looks like decarbonisation is not fast enough in our jobs. How can we scale-up our environmental initiatives? One way to answer this question is to rephrase it: what prevent us from speeding up in our environmental approach? The biggest levers to change the carbon footprint of our job sites are not directly reachable for foundations contractors: it is the responsibility of our clients, that is to say the Owners, Contracting authorities, prime contractors, etc. that are the real decision makers. Clients should become aware that some of their decisions have a huge carbon cost; foundation contractors are not the only responsible for the carbon footprint of the foundations. Clients can break down some barriers so that foundation contactors can decarbonate as much as possible Based on past jobsites, this article describes ten geotechnics issues (e.g. open to alternative solutions, don’t impose minimal dimensions), that are barriers the Clients can break down before the call for tenders, in the interest of all (economic and environmental), of course while complying European and National standards. Decarbonisation, limitation of dewatering and resource depletion can be amplified if internal and external stakeholders work together, understanding each other perspectives. Foundation contractors have made considerable progresses in sustainability over the past few years, such as employees awareness campaign, training, moving into action, solutions roll-out (e.g. low carbon concrete, recycled steel), and this, in several lines: acting for the climate, optimizing resources thanks to circular economy, preservation of natural environments… But some environmental indicators have reached a plateau, and some of us have felt again on the business-as-usual status-quo. Despite all our efforts, it looks like decarbonisation is not fast enough in our jobs. How can we scale-up our environmental initiatives? One way to answer this question is to rephrase it: what prevent us from speeding up in our environmental approach? The biggest levers to change the carbon footprint of our job sites are not directly reachable for foundations contractors: it is the responsibility of our clients, that is to say the Owners, Contracting authorities, prime contractors, etc. that are the real decision makers. Clients should become aware that some of their decisions have a huge carbon cost; foundation contractors are not the only responsible for the carbon footprint of the foundations. Clients can break down some barriers so that foundation contractors can decarbonate as much as possible Based on past jobsites, this article describes ten geotechnics issues (e.g. open to alternative solutions, don’t impose minimal dimensions), that are barriers the Clients can break down before the call for tenders, in the interest of all (economic and environmental), of course while complying European and National standards. Decarbonisation, limitation of dewatering and resource depletion can be amplified if internal and external stakeholders work together, understanding each other perspectives.