Laing O'Rourke and Murphy have implemented industry leading levels of environmental management on some of the UK’s largest civil engineering contracts including; High Speed One, Crossrail, Thames Tideway, and the Staffordshire Alliance Rail Upgrade. We have implemented ISO 14001 certified environmental management systems to ensure compliance with environmental legislation and improved performance. As well as standard compliance, our systems are adapted to suit specialised requirements such as Environmental Minimum Requirements, Code of Construction Practice, Transport & Works Orders and Hybrid Bills.
We aim to minimise community impacts through early engagement, innovative design and considerate operations and seek opportunities for community involvement.
Our in-house assessors and verifiers are fully-versed in completing BREEAM and CEEQUAL assessments, seeking 'excellent' ratings and always champion our collaborative approach to meet the sustainability targets of our client.
Sustainable Procurement
Our sustainable procurement policy details our commitment to incorporate environmental and social considerations into purchasing decisions which are cascaded to (and through) our supply chain. We prioritise the procurement of products from suppliers complying with recognised responsible sourcing schemes such as BS 8903.
Environmental performance is also part of our supply chain relationships. Our partners complete a detailed questionnaire, and together we identify areas to encourage them to seek innovative solutions, share best practice and support them where needed.
Waste
LM's philosophy is to reduce waste through offsite manufacturing and innovative design. We engage with our supply chain at tender stage to agree steps to reduce waste, maximise reuse, adopt take-back schemes and identify local markets for would-be waste materials.
For example, we’ve donated waste wood from a demolition work package to a local community group in Birmingham, where the materials have been re-used for a variety of charitable activities.
Ecology
We are experienced in managing our works around the ecological constraints of protected species, designated sites and conservation areas. Delivering rail, road and pipeline projects often involves crossing rural areas with ecological and agricultural considerations to manage and programme for. Experienced ecologists are used at planning stage, as well as delivery, to ensure the ecological surveys are programmed into the works to ensure sufficient mitigation can be implemented without causing delays.
Archaeology and Heritage
We identify archaeological and heritage assets during planning stages and work closely with archaeological specialists to mitigate any impacts our works have. We are experienced in specialist works including exhumations, artefacts, and natural archaeology.
The HS2 project has already seen some of the largest ever archaeological studies in the UK, and LM has managed a major excavation at the Curzon Street site in central Birmingham, where a former burial ground has been examined. A major tv documentary is due to be screened in 2020, highlighting much of this work.
We don’t stop at seeking to limit the negative environmental and community impacts associated with our projects; we aim to improve the areas in in which we work by implementing good practice, and leaving a positive legacy. As well as investing time and resources into the local region, we seek opportunities to enhance the flora and fauna of the area in which we work. Our aim is to leave a net positive gain in both community and biodiversity legacies.