Skanska’s sustainable approach has scooped an accolade at the Ministry of Defence Sanctuary (MOD)Awards, held virtually on 22 March.
The Sanctuary Awards have been recognising outstanding conservation and sustainability efforts across the MOD estate since 1991.
Skanska won the Sustainable Procurement and Construction category for sustainability work that helped cut carbon emissions at the Worthy Down military base in Hampshire, a £250 million project to provide tri-forces training facilities for the Defence Infrastructure Organisation.
Skanska used its expertise to support the sustainability goals of the military, Ministry of Defence and Defence Infrastructure Organisation. A major contributor to lowering carbon was the reuse of 11,800 cubic metres of crushed bricks and concrete from demolition rubble of the original buildings. This cut emissions by reducing materials needed during the construction process as well as more than 33 tonnes of embodied carbon saved by removing the need for lorry disposal of the demolition rubble.
Protecting and preserving wildlife was a key sustainability driver and a 63 per cent biodiversity net gain was achieved over the course of the project – through woodland planting and the creation of grassland and scrub habitats for reptiles, plus bird, bat and dormice boxes installed across the site. When about 80 smooth newts and 30 frogs were discovered in a water obstacle in the assault course, a new purpose-built pond was made for them, and a team of specially qualified experts moved them into their new home.
Charlie Norris, Operations Director, comments: “When we began working on this phenomenal project nearly eight years ago, the team was determined to meet our customer’s high expectations because they wanted to deliver facilities for military personnel that would create the best environment for them while they live, work and learn. Winning this award is testament to how we continuously challenged what we did to find innovative solutions and deliver modern, sustainable facilities at this campus that will stand the test of time and support healthy living beyond our lifetime.”
The awards celebrate and encourage group and individual efforts that benefit sustainable development, environmental and heritage conservation, utilities and resource saving measures, sustainable construction and procurement or community awareness on land or property that the MOD owns or uses in the UK and overseas.