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Manufactured for More: A Conversation with Barry Scott
4 minute read
At AG Paving + Building Products, sustainability is more than just a buzzword; it is a core element of our ethos and operations. Our dedicated Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) team and comprehensive environmental management approach reflect our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and championing sustainable practices within the construction industry. Barry Scott, our Senior Quality and Sustainability Technician, provides an insider’s perspective of our sustainability efforts and how we consistently strive to meet and exceed our goals.
How does AG integrate sustainability into its operations, and what recent initiatives or achievements highlight your commitment to environmental responsibility?
In a rapidly changing world where the stakes for our planet have never been higher, we are committed to leading the way in sustainability and innovation. As Senior Quality and Sustainability Technician, I have the unique opportunity to drive this mission forward daily, ensuring our products set the benchmark for both quality and environmental responsibility.
At AG, we define sustainability as finding the balance between social, economic, and environmental factors in everything we do. This holistic approach is reflected in our continuous improvement processes across all business areas. By working closely with our employees, local communities, customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders, we aim to create a positive ripple effect that extends far beyond our operations.
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Central to our CSR strategy is our commitment to significantly reduce our carbon footprint. As a signatory of the Business in the Community’s Climate Action Pledge, we are dedicated to achieving a 30% absolute reduction in Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 2030, regardless of our business growth. This commitment is evident in our current data, which shows an impressive 47.8% reduction in emissions from our 2019 baseline. However, carbon reduction is just one aspect of our CSR strategy, explore how our commitment to People, Planet, and Performance is driving meaningful change here.
The philosophy of “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs,” as stated by the UN World Commission on Environment and Sustainable Development, deeply resonates with us at AG. This principle is more than a goal; it is a commitment that guides every decision we make, from product development to corporate strategy. Our recently released, independently verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) underscore our leadership in sustainability, demonstrating that we are not just participants in the green movement but innovators.
Can you describe your career journey at AG, including how your role has evolved and what your day-to-day responsibilities entail?
My career at AG began nearly a decade ago in Sales, but it was AG’s commitment to my professional development that truly shaped my path. Recognising my passion for sustainability, AG supported my transition into this field by providing both flexibility and financial assistance for my studies in Construction Engineering and Management. My dissertation on supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) ignited a deep interest in the significance of product composition. This insight has fuelled my dedication to leveraging material science to develop more sustainable and efficient building solutions here at AG.
To stay current in this ever-evolving field, I’m looking forward to starting a new Concrete Technology course at the University of Derby this September. I also regularly participate in webinars and courses offered by organisations like the Institute of Concrete Technology and the Neville Centre of Excellence in Cement and Concrete Engineering at Leeds University. I’m committed to keeping up with the latest in sustainability through my involvement with the Supply Chain Sustainability School and am in the process of joining the Chartered Quality Institute.
In my role at AG, I balance maintaining the highest standards of product quality with driving sustainability initiatives. I oversee our laboratory operations at head office, where we rigorously test our products and aggregates to meet stringent specifications and standards. Working alongside our dedicated Lab Technician, Pat McCaffrey, and under the guidance of Michael Davies, our Head of Innovation and Carbon Reduction, our goal is to optimise product designs to create products that are as sustainable as they are robust.
What makes this role truly exciting is the opportunity for innovation. Michael, with his extensive background in concrete technology, has been an invaluable mentor. Together, we explore new mix designs and materials that minimise environmental impact while maintaining high performance. It’s not just about meeting industry standards; it’s about redefining them, aligned with our company purpose: “To create the most sustainable paving and building products available today.”
Beyond the lab, I manage internal audits, represent AG in external audits, and ensure compliance with various standards such as BES 6001, ISO 14001, ISO 9001, ISO 45001, BBA, NSAI, and Femas. As a member of our CSR team, my primary goal is to track our carbon footprint and implement processes that reinforce our status as a market leader in sustainability. This includes efforts in conservation, enhancing biodiversity, and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.
To drive meaningful change, measuring our progress is essential. That’s why we’ve integrated sustainability into our Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality (HSEQ) management system. Our recent partnership with Sustain IQ is the latest in a series of projects designed to enhance our sustainability efforts. This partnership offers a centralised platform to manage and assess all our initiatives—from community engagement to carbon reduction. It will enable us to generate detailed reports that provide insights into our progress, ensuring transparency and accountability for both internal and external stakeholders.
As I reflect on my role and the path ahead, I am filled with optimism. At AG, we are not merely responding to the demands of sustainability; we are actively shaping the future of our industry. The journey is ongoing, with always more to learn and achieve. However, with a team as dedicated and passionate as ours, I am confident that we will continue to lead by example, setting new standards for what is possible in our sector.
Corporate Social Responsibility Overview
This document summarises some of the fantastic work completed by the team over the last few years across our main CSR pillars of People, Planet and Performance.
Carbon Transparency: The Importance of EPDs in the Construction Industry
The construction industry in the 21st century faces major challenges, none more pressing than the need to decarbonise.
Corporate Responsibility
As a third-generation family business, we are proud to supply industry leading products to our customers. We have ambitious growth plans and as such, we take our impact on our stakeholders and our environment very seriously.
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