Reducing Scope 3 Carbon = Reduced Costs an Urban Utilities Case Study

Abstract

The Water North Zone Program has delivered 60+ Water Main Renewals since commencement of the Program Management Approach framework. The actual cost commercial model of the framework enabled collation of large amounts of cost and construction data. Diona’s self-performance delivery model, the open book and data driven approach together with access to Mott MacDonald’s accredited Carbon Portal, provided a unique opportunity to understand Scope 3 carbon emissions. By calibrating carbon models to be representative of as constructed assets, we have been able to baseline Scope 3 emissions, identify carbon hotspots and implement a carbon reduction plan. From the analysis undertaken, it wasn’t surprising that trenchless construction techniques were the lowest carbon solution. However, when we assessed this in the context of the work undertaken across the whole program in Year 1, nearly 20% of the total length of constructed assets were achieved using this technique for less than 10% of the overall carbon emissions. The future emphasis on enabling trenchless application to projects now has a further supporting driver and opened up a new perspective on discussions with stakeholders such as Brisbane City Council on standards.