The Federation of Piling Specialists (FPS) Sustainability Committee met on 7 October, chaired by Cerys Orriss (Aarsleff Ground Engineering). The meeting reviewed company and project carbon reporting, the EFFC-DFI Carbon Calculator, sustainability guidance and learning resources, client requirements, and progress on practical initiatives covering circularity, anti-idling and foundation reuse.

Key Updates and Actions:

Company Carbon Reporting – The committee reviewed member participation and the need for consistent, useful reporting. The preferred approach is to retain quarterly submissions for Scopes 1 and 2, while requesting Scope 3 data annually in recognition of the additional work involved. The reporting arrangements will be clarified, with a Scope 3 webinar to be arranged before the end of the year.

Work will also begin on a proposed one-page quarterly dashboard showing meaningful company carbon information, with wider circulation subject to Executive Committee approval. A UK-only view is to be added to the next carbon-reporting slides. Members discussed the difficulties of comparing company performance across different piling techniques and favoured investigating unusual project results to identify lessons and good practice.

EFFC-DFI Carbon Calculator – Development of the digitised calculator is approaching completion. Free access to the EC3 Environmental Product Declaration database has been secured, enabling location-specific material carbon data, while an Excel-upload facility is being developed to allow for submissions calculated in local sheets etc. The tool is intended to produce outputs for Scopes 1, 2 and 3 and recognised carbon-accounting approaches.

Completion is anticipated in December, with a possible launch webinar before Christmas and January 2027 identified as the likely point for members to begin using the system. Technical and reporting arrangements still need to be finalised. Until direct data aggregation has been tested, PDF outputs are expected to provide an interim submission route.

Sustainability Guides – Four guides are currently available, covering carbon reduction, circularity, climate adaptation and resilience, and water. The committee also reviewed progress on further resources:

• – Nature Guide – The first-draft comments have been collated, with final feedback awaited before revisions and Federation-wide distribution. Members were invited to provide suitable project images showing piling and the natural environment.
• – Fairness, Inclusion and Respect Guide – The developing guidance will include neurodiversity, drawing on practical member examples, training and employee initiatives, together with relevant more global experience. Members were encouraged to share case studies and materials.
• – Wellbeing Guide – Work continues to bring the existing material together in a consistent format. A webinar supporting the published Water Guide will also be arranged when the presenter is available.

Sustainability Learning Pathways – The committee considered a free learning pathway being developed by the Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists (AGS) with the Supply Chain Sustainability School. It covers subjects including sustainable soils, biodiversity, social value, circular economy and PAS 2080 carbon management, with additional modules on other sustainability topics. The FPS intends to signpost members to the existing pathway once the materials are ready, rather than duplicate the content.

Client Sustainability Requirements and Common Standards – Members will compile examples of client and Tier 1 contractor requirements, initially concentrating on certifications, environmental product declarations, responsible sourcing and related evidence. The objective is to identify recurring or duplicated demands and understand how the FPS might provide guidance and promote greater consistency. The Common Assessment Standard and potential engagement with Build UK were discussed as routes for addressing wider pre-qualification and competence issues.

EFFC Sustainability Charter – The recently approved EFFC Sustainability Charter provides a common European framework based substantially on the FPS Sustainability Charter. The committee confirmed that it does not replace the FPS Charter, which remains in place and sets more demanding requirements for members.

Concrete Hose Recycling – Members highlighted the limited end-of-life options for concrete and bentonite hoses. Potential recycling routes, including reuse in playground products or surfacing and a possible return to raw material, are being investigated. No fully circular solution has yet been confirmed, and members were encouraged to share supplier contacts and practical experience.

FPS Digital Project Map and Foundation Reuse – The committee noted that the FPS Digital Project Map had received a Best Use of Data award. Further site records are being prepared for upload, with additional participation encouraged to improve coverage. The Digital Task Group is also exploring whether the Dingo site-investigation database could be integrated. Alongside this, a new lead is being sought for the site occupation element of the pile reuse work.

Task Group Updates:

Carbon Metrics Group – A replacement lead is needed for the 2026 project-data baseline update following the previous lead’s move overseas. Members were encouraged to help strengthen project reporting, including outstanding historic mini-piling data, so that future analysis and benchmarks are more representative.

Lower-Carbon Materials Guidance – A draft guidance note exists, but further input is needed to move it towards completion. Collaboration with the Concrete Centre, potentially including a joint webinar, was discussed. Members were asked to share the work and contribute material to the next stage.

Anti-Idling Guidance – The committee supported exploring a short FPS-specific guidance note or webinar focused on practical site behaviour. This would distinguish situations where plant engines need to remain running from those where shutting down is appropriate, taking account of operational requirements and alternatives such as cab heaters, rather than becoming an extensive machine-data exercise.

Sustainability Awareness and Engagement – The group will remain a flexible pool of volunteers to assist with the dissemination of guides, webinars and other resources, with an emphasis on turning existing ideas and draft materials into completed outputs.

Sustainability Awards – The committee encouraged members to submit entries for the forthcoming FPS Sustainability Award and discussed whether future criteria should reflect demonstrable environmental and social impact beyond carbon reduction alone. Revised wording and a more continuous approach to collecting member examples were proposed for further consideration; no change to the award criteria was agreed at the meeting.