Arup named top professional services firm in AFR’s 2024 Sustainability Leaders List

Our engineers and designers are uniquely placed to accelerate the development of sustainable concrete supply chains for Australia’s infrastructure and buildings. While concrete continues to play an important role in building major infrastructure that supports the growth of cities around the world, cement makes up nearly 9% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Due to quarrying, transport and processing of raw materials, cement is a heavily carbon intensive material, making it difficult to abate the carbon intensity of concrete. 

Arup’s unique position at the nexus of research, innovation, standards setting, and major project delivery has enabled us to convene the right stakeholders so that alternative concrete moves from theory to practical application. Our teams have pushed for real world solutions to be delivered in major infrastructure projects, unlocking a tangible, immediate impact on emission reduction.

Joan Ko, Climate and Sustainability Leader for Australasia called out the importance of scaling and mobilising teams to spearhead action and innovation on multiple fronts.

“Our structure - and the fact that we are trust-owned by and for our people – means we can use our skills and technical expertise to develop solutions for our clients, while also tackling some of the most complex sustainability related challenges facing our planet and society. We champion sustainable concrete through our research partnerships, our design, and asset management advice. Sustainable concrete is a vital part of how the built environment sector plays its role to decarbonise our cities, industries and communities,” said Ms Ko.

“We have made bold commitments, for example to achieve net zero emissions across our operations by 2030, and not taking on any new energy commissions involving the extraction, refinement, or transportation of fossil fuels.  But we know the biggest impact we have is through our projects and work we do with our clients and partners across industry and government.”

Recognised as one of the biggest opportunities to decarbonise the built environment, the reduction of embodied carbon is emerging as an urgent goal for governments and industries across Australia. Projects where we have contributed low carbon concrete solutions include the Deer Park Station roof in Victoria; the Ovingham level crossing removal project in South Australia; and providing advice on building standards and regulations for state governments. 

This recognition marks the third consecutive year that we have been recognised in the AFR’s Sustainability Leaders List. In its inaugural year in 2022, the list named Arup as a leader in the professional services, advisory and engineering category for the Invest in Arup program, reinvesting profits into research and development towards developing products and services geared to shape a better world. In 2023, we were again recognised for our legacy of innovation in tackling complex sustainability challenges through the Sustainable Development Fund.

Learn more about how we’re catalysing a new supply chain for sustainable concrete here.