J Coffey Construction

Challenge

J. Coffey Construction recognised that its Tier 1 contractor clients (including MACE, ISG, SKANSKA, Balfour Beatty, and Sir Robert McAlpine) were making net-zero commitments aligned with the UK Government’s Net Zero 2050 objective. To remain a preferred Tier 1 subcontractor and continue to be invited to tender, J. Coffey needed a clear sustainability strategy that positioned the business as the partner of choice for low‑carbon delivery.

By signing the Pledge to Net Zero, aligned with the UN’s Race to Zero campaign, J. Coffey committed to:

• Setting a science-based greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction target aligned to a 1.5°C pathway.
• Publicly reporting its emissions on an annual basis.
• Capturing full Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions data, covering at minimum all buildings and travel, and extending across the upstream and downstream value chain.

However, the company lacked a data collation platform capable of managing comprehensive value chain emissions. Without a robust system to collect, consolidate, and report Scope 1, 2, and 3 data, its net-zero commitment would not be practically deliverable, putting both compliance and competitive positioning at risk.

Solution

Compare Your Footprint (in association with Green Element) was appointed to develop a comprehensive carbon data collation platform for J. Coffey, capturing full Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions across its operations.

CYF built a custom database of carbon calculation factors for construction materials, sourced from a university database, and created a digital interface between J. Coffey’s materials database and the CYF platform. This enables real-time and post-project carbon audits across all building activities, including energy and fuel use, waste, freight, travel, materials, and commuting.

To support delivery and governance, J. Coffey established an internal Carbon Reduction Steering Group (CRSG) responsible for gathering consumption data, reviewing site and equipment initiatives, monitoring progress, and reporting findings quarterly against science-based targets.

Outcome

J. Coffey has achieved and publicly reported its first quarterly emissions targets. On World Environment Day 2023, the company announced the removal of 558.57 tonnes of CO2e from plant and machinery operations across London in 2022, underpinned by a commitment to use Green D+ HVO biofuel on 94% of all operational plant.

Key carbon hotspots identified include Construction Materials and Waste, which are now priority areas for further reduction.

J. Coffey’s sustainability framework is supported by multiple certifications and commitments: