Get Involved
Climate change is happening. Every industry has a part to play in reducing carbon emissions and meeting Net Zero by 2050. The construction industry is no exception.
The built environment contributes around 43% of the UK’s total carbon footprint.
Has your company or organisation been doing good work in this space? We’re looking for like-minded colleagues from across the construction sector to join us to support the entire industry to inspire, inform, and promote best-practice on carbon change.
Whether you work for a construction company, a related organisation, trade association, or a major client, we have a programme to match. Join the more than 300 organisations who have made a public commitment to delivering progress on Net Zero.
Find out more about how your company or organisation can get involved below.
For companies working in the construction, built environment, or related sectors. Business Champions work in the Net Zero space will align with one (or more) of CO2nstructZero’s six priorities
We are seeking to represent the breadth of our industry with a diverse mix of companies drawn from across the sector and the supply chain.
Applications are welcome whether you work for an SME or a global contractor.
Benefits of being a CO2nstructZero Business Champion include:
- Demonstrating climate leadership: Your business logo displayed on the CLC website.
- Engaging your network: CO2nstructZero logos to use on social media updates/pages and in email signatures.
- Building connections: Invitations to contribute at related CLC and industry events.
- Showcasing your journey: Share case studies, relevant news, and events with the wider industry.
- Featuring in campaigns: Demonstrate how a “business like mine” is making progress on Net Zero.
- Staying informed: Gain access to the latest news, opportunities, and information from CLC and DBT on government’s response to Net Zero.
FAQs:
What is a CO2nstructZero Business Champion?
A Business Champion is a company whose work in the Net Zero space aligns with one or more of the CO2nstructZero priorities.
What does being a Business Champion involve?
We are looking for companies across the sector who can:
- Provide tangible evidence of the steps they are taking to respond to the Net Zero carbon challenge against the CO2nstructZero six priorities most relevant to their business.
- Provide outline case study material of what action you are taking against one or more of the 9 priorities, what this means for them/their business and its benefits.
- Support CLC quarterly reporting on industry progress to Net Zero directly and through their supply chain as and when data is available.
- Work with your Trade Association to signpost to industry colleagues i) the action they can take; ii) behavioural change required; and iii) initiatives they can support which deliver on CO2nstructZero priorities.
- Support our media/events work as appropriate.
How do I sign up to become a Business Champion?
A commission is sent out every six months inviting interested companies to complete a short set of interview questions. The commission is primarily sent to trade associations for wider distribution.
If you are not a member of a trade association which belongs to the CLC membership, and would like to be included on this commission, please forward your details to us.
What format should my responses be in?
When completing the interview questions to become a Business Champion, please provide your answers in a PDF or a word document.
Owing to Department for Business & Trade IT security rules, please do not submit an audio or video file via We Transfer (or any other “transfer” platform).
What happens after I’ve applied?
Your interview questions will be assessed by core members of the CO2nstructZero team. We will then inform you of the outcome shortly after your application has been reviewed.
How can trade associations raise the profile of new Business Champions?
You can ask your trade association to promote your status on their website, through their social media channels, newsletters, or emails, and encourage other members to apply.
How many business champions will there be?
We are not currently planning on placing a limit on the number of champions and bring on-board new companies every six months.
What about nominating an emerging leader?
Each Business Champion will be asked to nominate an emerging leader (a ‘young’ ambassador aged 20 to 35) drawn from either their organisation or their existing business network to:
- Provide a critical voice of challenge to the level of ambition being set by your organisation.
- Offer advice, encouragement and support in bringing their whole organisation on the Net Zero journey.
- Work with DBT and CLC to potentially support media and speaking opportunities on behalf of their Business Champion.
What’s the difference between a Business Champion and a Partner?
Business Champions represent companies working in the construction sector. Partners are trade associations, business networks or related organisations.
CO2nstructZero Business Champions:
For trade/business associations and networks whose members work in the construction, built environment, or a related sectors.
Partners will champion the work of their members in the Net Zero space which aligns with one (or more) of CO2nstructZero’s six priorities.
Applications are welcome at any time.
Benefits of being a CO2nstructZero Partner include:
- Demonstrating climate leadership: Your organisation’s logo displayed on the CLC website.
- Engaging your network: CO2nstructZero logos to use on social media updates/pages and in email signatures.
- Building connections: Invitations to contribute at related CLC and industry events.
- Showcasing member journeys: Share case studies, relevant news, and events with the wider industry.
- Featuring in campaigns: Demonstrate how your members are making progress on Net Zero.
- Staying informed: Gain access to the latest news, opportunities, and information from CLC and DBT on government’s response to Net Zero.
FAQs:
What is a CO2nstructZero Partner?
What does being a Partner involve?
The programme is looking for at least one of the following commitments from its Partners:
Signposting and support:
- Provide support/guidance to one or more of the six priorities signposted on the CLC’s website.
- Report back to the CO2nstructZero programme board on areas where advice and guidance could be developed to support your members or network.
Communications and engagement:
- Use your communication channels to cascade news and industry progress.
- Host events for your members/network that focus on one or more of the six priorities.
Performance metrics:
- Assist with the collection of data from the industry which forms part of the Performance Framework and regular reporting.
- Support your members in selecting the appropriate metrics and commitments to sign up to.
- Monitoring organisations within your network who have signed up to Race to Zero, to encourage their continued commitment to reducing their emissions targets.
Business Champions:
- Support your members to become Business Champions, working with them to develop their initial application/case study.
- Support them to find an appropriate emerging leader to partner with, if they are unable to find one internally.
- Feature Business Champion and Emerging Leaders in your communications, forums, and events to share their learnings with peers from across your network.
What is the time scale involved?
Partners can join at any time. Selected organisations will be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure they can continue to commit to the programme and deliver on expectations above.
How many partners are there?
There is no limit on the number of partners, and we welcome new organisations throughout the year.
What’s the difference between a Partner and a Business Champion?
Business Champions represent companies working in the construction sector. Partners are trade associations, business networks or related organisations.
CO2nstructZero Partners:
For major clients delivering significant projects in the UK’s built environment.
A client-led approach to creating clear demand for a transition to Net Zero in the construction industry, the simple five point commitment provides a framework for organisations to demonstrate climate leadership.
With the level of leadership up to each participating organisation, the five-point plan was launched in Spring 2024 at an event co-sponsored by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC), the Infrastructure Client Group, Infrastructure and Projects Authority and the Major Projects Association.
There are currently 11 major clients making a commitment to decarbonise more than £30 billion of major projects in the UK.
Find out more at the dedicated pages.
Major clients:
Quick Links:
Get in touch:
Interested in getting involved or have any further questions about CO2nstructZero? Get in touch with the team today.
