The Federation of Piling Specialists (FPS) Sustainability Committee convened on 12^th March 2025. Chaired by Stuart Norman, the meeting brought together representatives from across the sector to discuss carbon reporting, emerging task groups, and collaborative guidance initiatives.

Key Updates and Actions:

– Company Carbon Reporting and Project Data Submissions – The committee reviewed company-level carbon submissions, stressing the importance of using relative carbon metrics such as emissions per £1m turnover to improve comparability. Insights were shared showing that project carbon emissions typically reduce by around 30% from tender to completion due to material and design efficiencies. Improved project reporting processes have been implemented, with submissions now limited to completed projects only.

– EFFC-DFI Carbon Calculator Digitisation – The EFFC-DFI carbon calculator is undergoing significant digitisation, incorporating FPS plugins for Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions and linking to Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) databases.

– EFFC-DFI Sustainability Guides Launch – A webinar is scheduled for 22^nd April 2025 to launch updates to the EFFC-DFI Carbon Reduction and Circular Economy Guides. Industry specialists will present at the event.

– Water and Climate Resilience Guidance – Drafts of FPS guidance on water management and climate adaptation and resilience will be shared over the coming weeks, for review and feedback.

– New Thematic Subgroups – Biodiversity, Wellbeing, and DEI – Volunteers are being sought for upcoming guidance on biodiversity, employee wellbeing, and diversity, equity and inclusion.

– EFFC Sustainability Charter – Outline plans for the development of an EFFC-wide Sustainability Charter were shared. Inspired by the FPS model, the Charter will define sustainability responsibilities at the European, national, and company levels. Member feedback is encouraged as the document progresses.

– New FPS Task Groups Established – Three task groups have been formed to focus on priority areas:

• – Carbon Metrics – Led by Matt Lamb, this group will focus on refining emissions calculation methodologies and trend analysis.
• – Anti-Idling – Chaired by Warren Arnold (Bauer), the group will explore the definition and drivers of idling in piling, aiming to develop consistent guidance.
• – Low Carbon Materials – Led by Neil Abbott (GSS), this group will investigate industry innovations and client-led carbon reduction in materials. Each group will meet every six weeks and report quarterly. Further volunteers are encouraged to join. Briefs for each group have been issued.

– Webinars and Conferences

• – The EFFC-DFI Guides Webinar (22nd April 2025)
• – The Geotechnics Reimagined Conference in Bruges (21st–23rd May 2025), featuring sessions on low-carbon innovation, safety leadership, and cultural change in sustainability.

– Charter Audit Review – Ongoing audits of FPS member companies, due for completion by October, will inform updates to the FPS Charter. The audits assess areas including carbon reporting, health and safety, and social sustainability. Findings will be anonymised and benchmarked, with results shared at future meetings.

– Digital Project Mapping for Reuse Opportunities – The FPS is developing an interactive UK-wide digital map of completed piling projects to support design optimisation and potential pile reuse. A beta version is targeted for launch by June 2025.

– HVO Fuel Use and Alternative Trials – Varying approaches to HVO fuel adoption were discussed. The FPS will monitor developments and consider implications for audit scoring.