Decarbonising Construction Equipment: A Pathway to 2050 Net Zero Targets 

Okana researcher, Wahib Saif, shares insights into the complexities and opportunities in decarbonising construction equipment.

  • Portrait of Wahib Saif

    Wahib Saif

    Researcher

  • January 28, 2025

Decarbonising construction equipment is a critical hurdle as the UK strives for net zero emissions by 2050. With construction’s significant carbon footprint, transforming this sector is essential to achieving sustainability goals.

A new study by Okana researcher Wahib Saif, draws from in depth interviews with stakeholders involved in major UK infrastructure projects, including HS2 (High Speed Two) Ltd and Tideway London, uncovers the challenges and opportunities in reducing emissions associated with construction equipment across its supply chain. 

Several key strategies are identified, including the adoption of alternative fuels, electrification of equipment, and the integration of hydrogen powered systems. These approaches not only aim to reduce direct emissions but also contribute to enhancing operational efficiency and sustainability. Technological advancements such as telematics systems, machine control technologies, and data aggregation platforms play crucial roles in enabling these decarbonisation efforts.

It also analyses the challenges in progressing each of the decarbonisation strategies and actions, along with various recommendations, including supply chain fragmentation, the need for supportive policies and financial incentives for alternative fuels, and the development of robust fuelling infrastructure for electric and hydrogen based systems.  

Advanced data integration systems are also essential for effective management and optimization of equipment usage, and addressing training gaps, as well as incentivising behavioural changes in the industry, which are crucial to start seeing progress. The research also supports Okana’s Aquila project, which aims to develop a cutting edge digital twin platform, designed to monitor and control the performance of construction equipment. By providing a detailed understanding of current industrial practices and the hurdles faced in managing and decarbonising construction equipment, the study aims to inform actionable solutions that will drive meaningful progress. 

If you are interested in exploring the full research findings, the article is available for free over the next 50 days via Elsevier. 

This paper is part of Wahib’s PhD research, sponsored by Costain Group PLC and Okana under the IC3: International Centre for Connected Construction at Northumbria University. 

About the authors

Portrait of Wahib Saif

Wahib Saif

Researcher

Wahib is an accomplished researcher specialising in digital construction, currently advancing his PhD in the adoption of digital twins for managing construction sites. His active consultancy work involves collaborating with the HSE and software providers to enhance construction risk management. An advocate for lean principles and systems thinking, Wahib is dedicated to improving data management efficiency across construction operations.

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