UK’s First Low-Carbon Concrete Used in North East Flood Defence
In a groundbreaking first for the UK, the Environment Agency, BAM Nuttall, Arup, and Tarmac have trialled two new low-carbon concrete mixes at the Hexham Flood Alleviation Scheme. This eco-friendly concrete is helping to build flood defences while slashing carbon emissions.
Hexham Flood Defence Goes Green with Low-Carbon Concrete
The £6.5 million project has used the new low-carbon mix across three panels, covering 27 metres of flood defence walls. Developed by Tarmac, the 123 limestone mix is designed to boost Hexham’s resilience against climate change.
The trial shows promising results, achieving up to a 70% reduction in CO2 emissions per cubic metre compared to traditional concrete. This is a major step forward in building flood defences that don’t cost the earth.
Regional Climate Goals Drive Sustainable Innovation
These trials are part of a wider push across the North East to reduce the embodied carbon in flood defence construction. Local government, businesses, and civil society are collaborating through the North East England partnership to fight the climate emergency with practical, innovative solutions.
“The Environment Agency is committed to helping the nation be more resilient to flooding, coastal change, drought and climate change. We all have a role to play in tackling the climate emergency which is why the Environment Agency has committed to reaching Net Zero by 2030. To achieve this we have to adapt, try innovative approaches and ensure that climate and sustainability are at the heart of what we do.” – Leila Huntington, Environment Agency Operations Manager
“The trial of low carbon concrete in Hexham is a fantastic example of how we can work with our partners to continue to build flood defences to better protect communities from flooding, whilst also focussing on sustainability, the environment and reducing our carbon emissions.” – Leila Huntington
“As the Environment Agency’s construction partner in the North East, we are carefully considering how we can limit the environmental impact of the flood defence work we deliver without compromising the strength and resilience of these structures.” “�We identified Tarmac’s new low-carbon concrete mixes as innovative products, which have the potential to reduce our overall carbon impact across the framework.” “We are working closely with the Environment Agency, Arup and Tarmac, to ensure the materials can be approved for use and look forward to seeing these being used on more civil engineering schemes in the future.” – Ruth Young, Area Carbon and Sustainability Lead for BAM
“This flood defence project in Hexham highlights the clear sustainability benefits which can be achieved when clients and contractors work in partnership. The testing comparisons will help build confidence in these new products.” “Against the backdrop of a climate emergency, the use of these mixes marks another important step for the UK concrete and cement industry on its path to net zero. We’re committed to demonstrating innovation in low carbon solutions, and we hope that the success of this trial will help accelerate adoption of this and other types of new, sustainable concretes – delivering long-term benefits for the industry.” – Robert Gossling, Head of Commercial Engineering Solutions at Tarmac
