Diesel to be phased off sites under government-backed roadmap

Diesel will have disappeared from most construction sites by 2035, according to an industry-wide ‘route map’ supported by government.

On Monday (6 June), minister of state Nusrat Ghani attended HS2’s Old Oak Common site (pictured) to launch a Zero Diesel Sites Route Map, an industry-authored document pledging to support the rollout of hydrogen, electricity and other clean power sources for plant used around the country.

The route map was created by the Construction Leadership Council’s CO2nstruct Zero programme.

Currently there are 300,000 items of ‘non-road mobile machinery’ used in UK construction, which generates substantial carbon emissions by consuming the equivalent of 2.5 million tonnes of oil every year.

The route map would see the number of diesel-powered construction vehicles and machines fall by 78 per cent by 2035.  It also says the industry has or will carry out a range of measures over the next few years:

Ghani said: “Cutting carbon emissions in construction is vital to achieving our net-zero ambitions by 2050. That’s why I’m pleased to see the leadership the sector is showing by publishing this new route map, helping us move forward towards a cleaner, greener industrial future.”

Neil Wait, head of environmental delivery at HS2 Ltd and chair of the Zero Diesel Route Map working group, said: “The carbon challenge we face is significant and can only be overcome if we show real determination in a push for change.

“HS2 Ltd has played a key role in the development of the route map and is already making great progress with 19 diesel-free construction sites on the project.

“[This] launch is a tangible demonstration of the industry’s shared commitment to radically cut our reliance on diesel. I would encourage companies to get involved and support the move towards cleaner, greener construction.”

Matt Palmer, CO2nstruct Zero programme sponsor and executive director at Lower Thames Crossing, said: “One of the strengths of the Construction Leadership Council is its ability to bring the industry together to identify and commit to actions that will change our sector for the better.

‘The Zero Diesel Route Map is a perfect example of this, setting a clear mission that everyone can sign up to support.”