Innovation in procurement for low carbon

Last year, the Construction Leadership Council launched the Five Client Carbon Commitments – simple, practical steps that organisations can take to show how they are reducing their carbon emissions and by when.

Five Client Carbon Commitments

1. Procure for low carbon construction and provide incentives in contracts
2. Set phase out dates for fossil fuel use
3. Eliminate the most carbon intensive concrete products
4. Eliminate the most carbon intensive steel products
5. Adopt PAS 2080, Carbon Management in Infrastructure, as a common standard

Many major organisations have signed up to these commitments, and the Lower Thames Crossing – one of Cowi’s major projects – was a pioneer and founder member; leading by example and generating a blueprint for low-carbon construction that can be replicated across sectors.

To deliver on these commitments, incentivising carbon reduction from suppliers and partners becomes a crucial part of the strategy. Changing our approach to procurement and setting expectations of low-carbon can mean lower costs, as well as quality, sustainability, whole-life and environmental benefits – and drive significant innovation in major projects.

A prime example of this approach is Cowi’s work on the Lower Thames Crossing.  Awarded its development consent order in March 2025, the new road and tunnel will connect Kent and Essex, relieve traffic congestion and provide new opportunities for those living and working in the region.

The Lower Thames Crossing used an innovative procurement process, putting carbon reduction at its heart. Contractors were required at tender stage to demonstrate their short- and long-term actions to reduce emissions, plans for collaboration with the supply chain and commitment to the carbon cap. Tackling the issue at this stage means reductions are incentivised, but the contractors must also keep costs down to win. The Lower Thames Crossing achieved remarkable results, reducing emissions from the initial 2.76 Mt CO2e cap to the legally binding limit of 1.445Mt CO2e.

Additionally, the project has gone further still and set itself an ambitious new target of a massive 70% reduction, down to just 840,000t CO2e.

Experience shows that adopting PAS2080 – a globally applicable standard for managing carbon emissions in buildings and infrastructure – encourages carbon-focused value engineering, often resulting in lower costs by concentrating on material and construction efficiency at design stage. The successful implementation of PAS2080 on the Lower Thames Crossing and other Cowi projects proves that standardising approaches to early collaboration on carbon reduction, defined roles for staff, integrated decision-making, and whole-life carbon analysis can drive emissions down and achieve significant cost savings.

But the most powerful effect comes from incentivising positive behaviours at tender stage and beyond. When stakeholders see tangible rewards for adopting environmentally friendly practices, they are more inclined to commit to and innovate around sustainable solutions. Whether through tender scores, financial incentives or other enhancements, these rewards foster a culture where net zero focused choices are encouraged and valued.

The approach also empowers clients by giving them control over their expenditure. They can choose which enhancements to invest in, ensuring that their sustainability goals are met in a way that aligns with their budget and priorities.

The Lower Thames Crossing project showcases that the market is ready to tackle low-emission engineering challenges. Placing carbon reduction at the core of procurement shouldn’t be seen as a risk, rather a necessity. When contractors focus on potential savings in a carbon model, significant reductions in carbon emissions can be achieved. This approach often leads to decreased costs, as low-carbon design can mean building less, using less resources and streamline processes by minimising the use of non-essential materials and inefficient construction methods. In other words, it is beneficial to all parties.

As engineers, we are uniquely positioned to lead the charge toward a low-carbon future. By embedding carbon considerations into procurement decisions, championing standards like PAS2080, and drawing on lessons from pioneering projects like the Lower Thames Crossing, we can shift the industry from intention to impact. Now is the time to ask the right questions, challenge outdated norms, and put sustainability at the heart of every project. The tools are here. The market is ready. Let’s engineer the change.

• Alistair Kean is director for sustainability at Cowi in the UK & Ireland

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