Sustainability
At the Midland Metro Alliance, sustainability is one of our core values. As such, we are committed to the sustainable development of our £1.35bn tram extension programme, from ensuring that we reduce our carbon impact to maintaining a balance between economic success, protection of the environment and social responsibility.
Our ethos is to adopt responsible and sustainable practices in the way in which we develop and deliver the infrastructure in partnership with our suppliers and stakeholders.
Sustainability covers the social, economic and environmental spheres and are embedded in the way we work. Within the scope of our works there are a number of specific impact areas in the spheres of sustainability that we affect. Our aim as a programme is to not only minimise our negative impacts but also maximise opportunities for enhancement in these areas.
Our vision for sustainability is to: Be a European industry pioneer in sustainable practices through bold decision making.
See our Sustainable Procurement Policy and Environmental Policy for more information.
Projects
Each project has an overarching Project Sustainability Plan, detailing how the project is to contribute to the sustainability objectives and how the project will manage any environmental impacts. The key themes for the project sustainability objectives.
All new projects are registered with CEEQUAL and will complete a CEEQUAL Assessment to assess the sustainability of the scheme against a benchmark of industry best practice. The CEEQUAL process is externally verified giving assurance of the quality of the awards.
All new construction works will also register with the National Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS). The CCS is a voluntary code of practice that seeks to minimise any disturbance or negative impact (in terms of noise, dust and inconvenience) sometimes caused by construction sites to the immediate neighbourhood; eradicate offensive behaviour and language from construction site; and recognise and reward the constructor’s commitment to raise standards of site management, safety and environmental awareness beyond statutory duties. As with CEEQUAL the code offers an external validation of the scheme performance against industry best practice.
Delivery of world class sustainable transport system requires innovation to push industry best practice. The innovation forum has been developed to review and support innovation ideas within the programme. Innovations that make our designs and construction activities more sustainable are promoted through this forum.
The MMA has the RSSB Rail Carbon Tool along with bespoke internal tools to support decision making for specific design elements and material selection.
Environmental Management System
Through the Alliance we are using our partner’s accredited Environmental Management Systems to underpin our work. The MMA is working towards an overarching Environmental Management System to set a minimum standard in line with ISO 14001:2015. The ISO 14001:2015 standard specifies the requirements for an environmental management system (EMS) and provides a systemic approach to handling environmental issues within an organisation. The EMS will be an overarching system that encompasses the EMS implemented by the various organisations that make up the alliance. In addition, where appropriate, the EMS will integrate (i.e. share common systems and procedures) with the health and safety and quality management systems to prevent duplication.
Sustainability Performance
2022 target CO2e: 1,000 CO2e t
Achieved figure: 1,982 CO2e t
This was achieved by:
- Changing our fuel type for diesel to HVO
- Using more sustainable/low carbon concrete in our structures and track slab
- Using hybrid Welfare units as well as lighting towers
This year we plan to save energy by implementing a series of best practice, innovative and challenging strategies.
Waste
We have set a target of Zero Avoidable Waste to landfill and in our our projects and so far we have achieved this target. In previous years we have achieved a 99% avoidance to landfill in all waste produced from our sites. This year looks we are on track and look to follow suit to maintain 99% recover/recycling rate.