Sustainable Imperial – Delivering low carbon infrastructure

Climate Action

Submitted by: Careys


Imperial College London: Leading the Way in Sustainable Development


Imperial College London is at the forefront of climate action, ensuring its infrastructure aligns with its Sustainable Imperial strategy. This commitment aims for carbon neutrality (Scope 1 & 2) by 2040 while minimising Scope 3 emissions. By integrating sustainable innovation across learning, research, and public spaces, Imperial is setting a benchmark for green campus development.

Sustainable Infrastructure: The Foundation for the Future
A key part of this vision is the Infrastructure Delivery Package—an enabling works project that prepares future development plots for sustainable growth. Delivered in collaboration with Careys as the Principal Contractor, this initiative was meticulously designed to prioritise waste minimisation, carbon reduction, and social value. From design through to construction, sustainability targets guided every decision, ensuring a low-carbon, resource-efficient approach.

Pioneering Carbon Reduction & Material Reuse
1. Significant Carbon Savings – Through detailed design refinements and sustainable construction methods, the project achieved a 48% reduction in carbon emissions (as of January 2025, with 85% completion)

2. Low-Carbon Material Procurement – The project sourced BRC’s UK-produced reinforcement steel, the market leader in low-carbon Environmental Product Declarations (EPD). Additionally, 96% of concrete mixes used were within the top sustainability bands of the LCCG Market Benchmark, optimising both environmental impact and engineering performance.

3. Maximising On-Site Material Reuse – The team reused 15,300 tonnes of site-won soil and recycled 8,300 tonnes of hardcore material for on-site applications. Impressively, 79% of aggregates came from recycled sources, significantly reducing the project’s reliance on virgin materials.
Through full value-chain collaboration, cutting-edge sustainable design, and innovative material reuse, Imperial College London is proving that world-class academic institutions can lead the charge in sustainable infrastructure.

Social Media channels: LinkedIn: Imperial College London Careys

Credited Organisations:
Imperial College London, Waterman Group, Arup


Scroll to Top