We are committed to engineering a better, greener, low carbon world and building a sustainable future for all.

Fairhurst Fit for the Future

The UN Climate Change Conference COP26 outcome was that immediate and decisive action was required to limit average global warming to 1.5°C. This was followed by COP28 which concluded with the first international agreement to transition away from fossil fuels to clean energy. Fairhurst, in line with the wider industry, has committed to elevate carbon and fossil fuel reduction to one of our core business drivers as part of our “Fairhurst Fit for the Future” initiative. As part of this, the Firm has committed to achieving net zero status by 2045 and is actively encouraging key supply chain Partners to achieve the same goals. The Firm has developed a Carbon Reduction Plan in order to define, monitor and review meaningful progress as part of the commitment to net zero. The commitment to achieve net zero is a fundamental element of the Firm’s Business Plan and is being driven by our Partners as Senior Management.

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Whole Life Carbon Assessment (WLCA)

Fairhurst can prepare Whole Life Carbon Assessments for a wide range of buildings and infrastructure projects. Our range of experience cover both public sector local/national government-funded projects as well as private sector clients. This allows clients to make a positive step towards understanding the embodied and operational carbon in their projects, and driving down this carbon through careful definition of the brief, execution of the design, specification of materials and construction methods, suitable procurement practices focused on best value rather than least cost/time. This wholistic approach uses Whole Life Carbon Assessments at each stage of the project design, construction and operation to ensure that statutory and client targets are realised in the completed project. This targeted approach to carbon reduction helps our clients achieve realistic reductions in carbon as part of the journey towards the target of net zero in construction and operation.

Download our WLCA Flyer

The Circular Economy

Given that the construction industry is responsible for approximately 40% of global carbon emissions, we as Engineers have a responsibility to ensure that we use materials wisely and promote the use of circular economy.

We can apply the principles of circular economy to engineering design, which is a key part in terms of moving towards our target of Net Zero.

As a responsible engineering practice, we must actively seek opportunities for re-use, whilst optimising materials for whole life and designing sustainably for deconstruction, where possible. These are some of our key principles, which form part of our brief for design and good practice. Our aim is to make this approach our mindset, which will instil good sustainable habits into the education of our staff and ensure that climate change is at the forefront of our minds for generations to come.

Our aim is to maximise the value of materials, whilst minimising embodied carbon output, through design. 

 — Stephen Holmes, Senior Partner 

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