We're thrilled to announce our newly developed Carbon Reduction Specification for concrete, created in collaboration with Concrete NZ Building Resilience Association.
This specification requires a 10% reduction in carbon emissions for concrete used in construction projects, making it a practical step toward more sustainable building practices.
Building a Greener Future Together
At DTCE, our mission goes beyond designing safe structures; we’re committed to leading the industry toward sustainability. The construction sector faces a major challenge in reducing carbon emissions, and concrete plays a significant role in this. If the whole industry implements just a 10% reduction in concrete emissions, the compounded effect will lead to transformative reductions in our environmental footprint.
Why we developed this Specification
We created this carbon reduction specification because climate change demands immediate action. The goal was to create a standard, basic, default specification, which would suit all players as a new benchmark. By partnering with Concrete NZ and Firth, we’ve developed a solution that reduces emissions by 10%, setting a new standard for sustainable construction. Our aim is to not only lower the carbon footprint of our own projects but also to encourage the industry to follow suit.
Why we're sharing it
We’re sharing this specification because we believe in collaboration over competition. By making it available to other engineers and designers, we can amplify its impact across many projects. Every reduction in carbon emissions is a win for the environment, and we want to lead by example.
Leading by example
We want to demonstrate that sustainable practices can be innovative, practical, and beneficial for the industry. Our goal is to inspire others to adopt similar practices, helping drive the industry toward more responsible building methods
Download our Free Carbon Reduction Specification
We are releasing this specification as a free resource for other engineering firms, designers, and industry professionals. By adopting this approach, you can significantly lower the carbon impact of your projects without sacrificing quality or buildability.
You can access the Carbon Reduction Specification as part of our Project Toolbox, which also contains our Steel Beam Span tables, and Portal Frame Bracing unit tables.
If you are using the specification in your projects, you can either use the PDF as it is, or copy and paste the wording into your own spec layouts.
How our Carbon Reduction Specification works
Our specification employs a performance-based approach, allowing ready-mix suppliers to use the best available tools and materials, such as Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs). This flexibility ensures that the carbon reduction targets are met while considering local material availability and production methods. The goal is simple:
a 10% reduction in carbon emissions is highly achievable without any changes to concrete’s performance or parameters.
Key benefits include:
Flexibility in Materials: Suppliers can use different SCMs like fly ash or slag to meet the required carbon reduction targets.
Transparent Emissions Reporting: The specification requires detailed reporting of emissions, including raw material production, transport, and ready-mix processes.
Locally Adaptable: The mix design can be adjusted based on local material sources, allowing for region-specific solutions to meet sustainability goals.
Why Lower Carbon Concrete Matters
The construction industry is one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions globally, and concrete plays a significant role in this environmental impact. New Zealand has committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, making it essential for all sectors to reduce their carbon footprint.
Our new specification helps reduce the carbon impact of concrete, aligning with the country's broader climate goals without compromising performance or buildability. Even small steps, like reducing emissions by 10%, contribute to the larger effort to combat climate change and protect our environment.
Call To Action
Join us in using this specification. Every small change contributes to a larger impact, and together, we can make a significant difference in reducing our industry’s environmental footprint. If you have any questions about this specification, please feel free to contact us!
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