At Hill & Smith Infrastructure, sustainability is more than just a goal – it’s a core principle that drives our innovation and operations. As part of our commitment to reducing carbon emissions and embedding sustainable practices across infrastructure projects, we are proud to announce that we have successfully achieved PAS 2080 certification.
This certification reinforces our dedication to low-carbon infrastructure solutions, helping us align with industry best practices and meet evolving client and regulatory expectations. It also strengthens our ability to work collaboratively across the supply chain, ensuring that sustainability remains a key driver in how we design, build, and manage infrastructure.
So, how did we get here? What challenges did we overcome, and what does this mean for the future of Hill & Smith Infrastructure? We take you behind the scenes of our PAS 2080 journey, explore the opportunities this certification unlocks, and share what’s next as we continue to build a more sustainable future.
The infrastructure sector has a critical role to play in reducing carbon emissions, and PAS 2080 provides a clear roadmap for making this happen. Developed by BSI, PAS 2080 is the first global standard dedicated to whole-life carbon management in infrastructure. It ensures that every stage of a project – from design and materials selection to construction, operation, and end-of-life – is optimised for carbon reduction. “PAS 2080 is more than just a certification – it’s a commitment to doing things better, smarter, and more sustainably,” explains Nick Wills, Head of SHEQ & Training. “With National Highways requiring PAS 2080 compliance from all Tier 1 and Tier 2 contractors by 2025, achieving certification not only aligns us with industry expectations but also positions us ahead of the curve in sustainable infrastructure.”
For us, PAS 2080 is not just about compliance – it’s about leading the industry towards a more sustainable future. Achieving PAS 2080 certification was therefore not just about ticking a box – it was about taking a deep dive into our carbon impact, understanding where we could improve, and embedding a framework for continuous carbon reduction.
Our journey began following National Highways’ announcement that PAS 2080 certification would become mandatory for all Tier 1 and Tier 2 contractors by 2025. “Sustainability was already a key focus for us, so we saw this as an opportunity to formalise our carbon management approach and gain external validation for the good work already happening across the business,” continues Wills.
The first step in our PAS 2080 journey was to map our carbon footprint, identifying emissions across all areas of the business and setting a baseline for measurement. This allowed us to pinpoint carbon hotspots and explore reduction opportunities, ensuring we had a clear strategy for tracking progress.
Through this process, we discovered that many teams were already working on carbon reduction initiatives, but these efforts weren’t widely shared. PAS 2080 provided the structure to align these initiatives, improving cross-department collaboration and embedding sustainability into everyday operations.
A key advantage for us was the seamless integration of PAS 2080 with our existing PAS 99 management system, meaning minimal procedural changes were required. This allowed us to focus on enhancing existing practices rather than reinventing processes.
When it came time for the BSI audit, our preparation paid off. We achieved an impressive 5.5 out of 6 performance rating, with only minor non-conformities identified. Now, with certification secured, we’re focused on turning these strategies into measurable results. PAS 2080 was never the final goal; it was the foundation for a more sustainable future at Hill & Smith Infrastructure.
“One of the biggest benefits of PAS 2080 certification is how it has brought different teams together, improving collaboration across the business,” Wills points out. “By sharing knowledge and aligning our efforts, we’re embedding carbon reduction into the way we work, not just as a compliance exercise, but as a mindset.”
This sustainability mindset has ensured carbon reduction is considered in every project and decision. With sustainability now embedded into everyday decision-making, awareness and engagement across all levels of the business have increased.
Beyond compliance, PAS 2080 enhances our attractiveness to top talent, particularly those passionate about sustainability. It also ensures that carbon reduction is a shared responsibility, positioning us as a leader in sustainable infrastructure for the long term.
Our focus now is on embedding sustainable principles into every aspect of our work while demonstrating the long-term value of carbon-conscious solutions.
Collaboration across our supply chain is key to deliver on this. We continue to engage with clients and stakeholders through initiatives like “lunch and learn” sessions, helping to increase awareness of low-carbon solutions and the benefits of whole-life carbon management. We will also advocate for a long-term value approach, showing that investing in sustainable infrastructure leads to greater efficiencies, resilience, and future-proofed solutions. At the other end of the value chain, we’ll be working with subcontractors to develop and refine carbon reduction strategies in project delivery.
To ensure continuous improvement, we have established a carbon baseline for 2024, setting a clear benchmark for tracking reductions over time. Annual BSI audits will help us measure progress, and we are committed to expanding our use of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) to improve transparency around carbon impacts.
Innovation remains a priority, with several initiatives designed to cut emissions underway. By continuously refining our approach, we’re ensuring that we’re driving down carbon wherever possible.
With PAS 2080 certification secured, our focus is now on embedding carbon reduction into every aspect of our business. We are developing a long-term sustainability roadmap, ensuring that our teams, supply chain, and partners remain engaged in delivering measurable carbon reductions.
“Education and training are essential to keeping up momentum, so that our teams have the knowledge and tools to continue driving sustainable change,” says Wills. “And by strengthening our collaborations with industry stakeholders, we can share innovation and best practices that benefit not just our business, but the wider sector.”
Looking ahead, our commitment to PAS 2080 is about continuous improvement, not just compliance. By refining our processes, strengthening partnerships, and staying at the forefront of sustainable infrastructure, we are ensuring that carbon reduction remains a long-term priority. PAS 2080 is just the start – our journey towards a more sustainable future continues.
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