Sustainability

Our Sustainability Framework and Targets

Guided by our commitment to climate action and sustainable construction practices, A W Edwards has Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi) approved decarbonisation and net-zero targets. Using a 2021 baseline, we are dedicated to achieving a 40% absolute reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions, as well as a 30% intensity reduction in Scope 3 emissions by 2030.

To ensure progress towards our annual decarbonisation milestones, our Executive Committee and operational team developed the strategic Climate Action Plan (CAP) in 2023. The AWE CAP is structured around ten foundational pillars, encompassing 40 key objectives essential for meeting our yearly interim targets:

Pillar 1: Internal Climate Culture
Fostering climate awareness through comprehensive staff and client training programs and workshops.

Pillar 2: Carbon Reflex
Implementing robust decarbonisation processes across all operations.

Pillar 3: Energy Sourcing & Consumption Standards for Worksites
Establishing stringent standards for energy sourcing and consumption to drive Scope 1 and 2 emissions reductions.

Pillar 4: Subcontractor Engagement to Reduce Embodied Carbon
Enhancing subcontractor awareness and collaboration to achieve reductions in Scope 3A emissions.

Pillar 5: Energy Efficiency Levers by Business Line
Promoting energy efficiency across all business lines to reduce Scope 3B emissions.

Pillar 6: Circular Economy
Advancing circular economy principles to minimise waste and maximise resource recovery throughout our operations.

Pillar 7: Waste Diversion
Elevate the principles of Circular economy and achieve 100% diversion rate for clean spoil and 90% for inert and non-hazardous construction waste.

Pillar 8: Water Efficiency
As part of TopSite, ensure greater Water efficiency across our sites.

Pillar 9: Biodiversity
Positively contribute to the conservation of natural ecosystems where we conduct business.

Pillar 10: Innovation
Identifying and implementing innovations that create sustainable, technology-enabled, and human-centric environments.

Our sustainability efforts are underpinned by the A W Edwards Environmental Sustainability Policy and Sustainable Procurement Policy, ensuring that environmental responsibility is embedded throughout our operations.

A W Edwards Climate Action Plan 2026

 As part of our ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitments, we place a strong emphasis on exceeding industry standards related to embodied carbon in both materials and processes. We have set ambitious targets to promote water conservation throughout all site activities and are dedicated to achieving high rates of waste diversion, further minimising our environmental impact. We collaborate with our subcontractors to facilitate effective on-site waste sorting and support circular economy principles by directing waste to facilities where it is reprocessed and reintroduced as a resource in new materials.

Certification

Green star ratings are recognised by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) and Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia, serving as an industry benchmark for sustainability. The majority of our projects undergo Green Star equivalency accreditation, including our new corporate head office in St. Leonards which has achieved a prestigious 5 Star Green Star rating.

In addition, all of our projects are assessed under the Bouygues Construction Top Site accreditation, ensuring our sites exemplify operational excellence. We also work collaboratively with our clients to deliver a range of other sustainability certifications, including ISCA rating or LEED certification further demonstrating our commitment to industry-leading environmental performance.

Circular Economy & Biodiversity

A W Edwards embraces circular economy principles in its operations, designing projects efficiently and ensuring that materials are recovered for reuse, remanufacturing, or recycling at their end of life.

A W Edwards has also joined hands with Planting Seeds to protect and enhance natural ecosystems in urban, pre-urban and regional settings. Bouygues Bâtiment International’s Biodiversity guide helps us attain the biodiversity targets that later feed into our Top Site Biodiversity grid.

Reporting & Disclosure

Each year, we report our sustainability progress as part of our parent company Bouygues’ integrated report. Since 2018, we have consistently measured and disclosed our energy use, embodied carbon emissions, water consumption, and waste data. This ongoing commitment ensures transparency and accountability in our environmental performance.