Housebuilder Barratt Developments is rolling-out the use of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) across its sites to cut carbon emissions.
Leicester-based Barratt trialled the use of HVO and adopted its use as part of its commitment to reduce diesel emissions to 60% by replacing it with lower emission fuel.
HVO is a renewable fuel that can be used in place of fossil diesel in plant engines without modification. It’s made from 100% renewable raw materials, such as waste and residues. The HVO purchased by Barratt in the financial year to June 2024 has been certified by the Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme.
Sarah Pratt, acting group sustainability director at Barratt Developments, said: “Using HVO as an alternative fuel across our developments is another step towards the group meeting our science-based carbon emission targets. After successful trials, we are confident that the switch will deliver carbon reductions without affecting our operational performance.
“Multiple measures are required to meet our targets and build the homes the country needs, so transitioning to HVO and actively encouraging hybrid battery packs on specific sites, will help reduce the need for diesel.”
Emissions from diesel on sites accounts for almost two thirds of Barratt’s operational carbon footprint. To achieve its target to have net zero emissions in its own operations by 2040, the company is reducing its use of diesel on sites.
HVO is a diesel replacement that can be used in machinery, such as telehandlers. By making the switch, Barratt says it will reduce direct carbon emissions, without affecting its operational performance.
To take a further step to cutting emissions on site, working with its supplier partners, the coma ny says it actively encourages sites to have hybrid battery to reduce the emissions from pure diesel generators.
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