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Climate-neutral in 2050

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climate neutral in 2050

Date

31 March 2025

Expertise

Sustainability

It is our task as construction sector to operate in a cleaner way. In recent years, at Strukton, we have taken important steps towards emission-free working and gained important experience. We have now adjusted our targets. The adjustments are based on our experiences in innovation processes and their duration. Also, we have brought our targets more in line with sector-wide programmes. In addition to scope 1 and scope 2 emissions, we have also included scope 3 emissions in the targets.

New targets for climate-neutral operations

  • We will reduce the carbon emissions resulting from business travel by 50% in 2030 compared to 2016, relative to the number of FTEs in our organisation
  • 2040 will be our first year of carbon-neutral business operations  (scope 1 and 2)
  • 2050 will be our first year of business operations with zero CO2 emissions for scope 1, scope 2, scope 3 and (if material) other influenceable emissions (OIE)

To reach our 2040 target, we will reduce our emissions by 90% and compensate the rest.

Other influenceable emissions are emissions that fall outside scope 1, scope 2 or scope 3 according to the GHG Protocol. The reason is that these are short-cyclical or occur outside the value chain of the organisation. If we can significantly influence these emissions, they are relevant for our organisation to contribute to global climate neutrality.

Roadmap

In order to achieve our objectives, we have worked out annual ambitions for each scope. The annual ambitions can be found here. We monitor and publish on the progress on these ambitions and the measures to achieve them, and continuously search for ways to move faster.

Working together

We will work together to achieve our goals. Together means with all colleagues, our clients, our suppliers and all other partners in the chain. Do you have ideas to help with that? Let us know!
climate neutral in 2050

Want to know more?

Frequently asked questions

Find answers to frequently asked questions here.

What does sustainability mean in the rail and civil infrastructure sector?

Sustainability in rail and civil engineering focuses on reducing environmental impact across the entire lifecycle of infrastructure. This includes using emission‑free equipment, circular and recycled materials, and designing assets with a longer lifespan and lower maintenance requirements. Reusing structural components—such as circular viaduct beams or recycled copper contact wires for overhead lines—significantly reduces CO₂ emissions while conserving valuable raw materials.

How can CO₂ emissions be reduced in infrastructure projects?

CO₂‑reduction is achieved through a combination of clean construction methods and material innovation. Key strategies include:

  • Deploying zero‑emission machinery such as electric cranes, electric rail‑road vehicles (Krols), electric vans and battery‑powered locomotives.
  • Integrating circular concrete, geopolymer concrete, and recycled materials to lower embodied carbon.
  • Collaborating across the supply chain — from client to contractor to materials supplier — to scale circular and low‑carbon solutions.

These measures not only reduce carbon emissions but help create more resilient, future‑proof infrastructure.

Which sustainable innovations are being used in modern rail and civil engineering projects?

Infrastructure projects increasingly rely on advanced sustainable technologies, such as:

  • 100% recycled copper contact wire, reducing CO₂ emissions by up to 92%.
  • Geopolymer concrete, offering 50–80% CO₂ savings compared to traditional mixes.
  • Electric and battery‑powered locomotives for maintenance and logistics.
  • Circular overhead‑line foundations and poles made from low‑impact concrete.
  • The Energy Bank, an innovative click‑and‑go substation that captures and reuses regenerative braking energy.
  • Circular viaduct and bridge concepts, enabling reuse instead of demolition.

These innovations drive measurable environmental benefits throughout the asset lifecycle.

What is zero‑emission equipment in infrastructure construction?

Zero‑emission equipment refers to machinery that operates without producing exhaust gases, typically powered by electricity or batteries. Examples include:

  • Electric locomotives and battery locomotives
  • Electric cranes and rail‑road (Krol) vehicles
  • Electric vans and support vehicles

This equipment eliminates local emissions, improves air quality around work sites, reduces noise pollution and helps clients comply with increasingly strict sustainability requirements.

What does the future of sustainability in infrastructure look like?

By 2050, the infrastructure sector aims to be fully climate‑neutral. This future includes:

  • A robust, climate‑resilient infrastructure network designed for extreme weather.
  • A fully emission‑free construction fleet.
  • Circular material chains where components are reused at scale.
  • Rail as a leading sustainable mobility system, supported by smart energy management and low‑carbon construction methods.
  • Infrastructure that integrates nature, supports biodiversity and ensures safe mobility for everyone.

The transition is already underway, driven by innovation, collaboration and long‑term thinking.

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