LEADER
Counters’ revolution
We’ve made big advances on carbon data, but there’s still a way to go
A large and growing part of our output at The Concrete Centre concerns data – gathering it from our members, and synthesising it into design tools and guidance for specifiers.
We have just published the 2026 Low Carbon Concrete Group (LCCG) market Benchmark, which revealed that the average embodied carbon of UK ready-mixed concrete fell by about 5% in 2025, based on data covering 55% of UK production. We also work with other industry bodies to iron out anomalies, so that wherever specifiers source their information, they can be confident that it’s fit for purpose.
This emphasis reflects just how central data has become to sustainability, although I would argue that the construction sector is still at a relatively early stage in the journey. There is some discussion that planning authorities could impose limits on whole-life carbon.
My question would be, are we ready? There have been really big steps on carbon measurement, but there is a lot of learning to be done. Best practice is also continually evolving – an important next step is the 2027 revision to BS 8500 on concrete specification, which will add reference values for embodied “Just specify a target and let the supplier work out the best way to deliver the required performance” carbon.
Right now, measurement should absolutely be mandatory, but basing legally binding rules on immature data is likely to backfire. The more immediate task is to upskill the industry on the different metrics that are out there, and how to use them appropriately. A recent Concrete Centre publication demystifies environmental product declarations, for example, and a forthcoming document will focus on benchmarks.
Our headline message is: specifiers don’t need to get into the mix design, just set a performance target and let the supplier work out the best way to meet it. Today, it’s possible to hit the highest benchmark ratings by using innovative products under the BSI Flex 350 standard, but the further you go from current practice, the greater the implications may be for other aspects of the project.
The starting point is to understand your client’s true aspirations. Benchmarks are invaluable to those discussions, but it’s the discussion itself that’s key – and we need to be sure that everyone is talking about the same thing.
Elaine Toogood, senior director, MPA Concrete and The Concrete Centre