Scope 1 +2 : Through optimisation during the design and construction phase, emissions have been reduced (35% reduction in the project’s carbon footprint compared to the 2016 baseline).

Use of non-polluting energy sources (bio-fuel, solar, electric);

Creation of electric recharging points in the main bases to encourage the use of electric vehicles for the project’s employees.

Quantification :

35% reduction in emissions thanks to the implementation of an eco-design approach (on scopes 1 and 2) detailed below.

Reductions in the quantity of excavation/backfill, as well as reductions in the materials to be used, contribute directly to the reduction in the consumption of machinery.

This represents approximately 30,000tCO₂e.

Scope 3 : Reuse of site materials;

Modification of the design: conventional cut-and-cover trenches (Cubbington, Streethay, Bromford Tunnel);

Change in construction methods to minimize the carbon footprint of the structure;

Quantification : 35% reduction in emissions thanks to the implementation of an eco-design approach detailed below.

The reduction in the quantities of materials to be used contributes to the reduction of scope 3 upstream.

This represents approximately 550,000tCO₂e.

Emissions absorptions : Creation of ecological and landscape compensations;

Proposal of nature-based solutions; construction of an ecological corridor along the new road; transplantation of hedges;

Activities in favor of positive Biodiversity (Net gain).

Avoided emissions : The avoided emissions are linked to the modal shift of traffic induced by this new high-speed line.

The main emissions savings were identified during the design phase (preliminary design and implementation study), taking a global view of the project and not on a project by project basis. The CO₂e savings are measured against the 2016 baseline project. Here are some emblematic examples of this project reengineering:

– Bromford Tunnel Extension: The change in alignment in the Bromford area resulted in the replacement of 15 earth and civil engineering structures with the 3 km Bromford Tunnel Extension, saving approximately 40,000 tCO₂e

– Canley Brook Retaining Wall: The removal of the Canley Brook retaining wall was enabled with the lengthening of the Kenilworth Cutting and Crackley Road cuttings, reducing the footprint by approximately 40,000 tCO₂e.

– Streethay Open Cut: 70,000 m3 less concrete than originally designed During the design of the project, the cut and its associated structures were redesigned, transforming the longest cut in the northern sector into a conventional cut, saving 400,000 t of CO₂ emissions.

– M42 Marston Grade separation: Change from a conventional grade separation structure to an asymmetrical jack box. Complete removal of the northern retaining walls, partial removal of the southern retaining walls, removal of the supporting structures. 2230 t CO₂e avoided. This solution was repeated on other structures of the same type.

– Handsacre Retaining Walls and Washwood Heath Open Cut: Washwood Heath structure showing significant carbon reduction due to 100 m shorter trench length and 3 m shorter vertical alignment. Handsacre retaining wall removed due to vertical alignment optimizations.31,000 tCO₂e carbon savings

– Optimization of earthworks: Blythe byoass fill, Mercote Mill fill, Pool Wood fill, Horn Brook fill. Design changes included optimizing the slope of the cut and fill embankments (e.g., gradient from 1: 2.5 to 1: 2) which reduced the amount of material excavated, and reduced the footprint of earthworks which can have environmental/social/land impacts. The gain is 6,141 tCO₂e saved

– Structure SL5, M42 crossing: Excess material (270,000 tons) was transported from the HE / Skanska project and used on the embankments and crane pads of our site. This reduced the amount of imported aggregates and transportation related impacts. Approximately 15,000 tCO₂e avoided.

– Harvey’Rough Sheep Leap: Re-designed the structure to eliminate over 300 m of retaining walls, 400 total project piles. Approximately 8,000 tCO₂e avoided

– Stoneleigh Retaining Wall: Complete removal of the mainline retaining wall and replacement with a conventional cut with steeper slopes. Significant carbon savings in the construction and operation phase are expected to be approximately 30,000 tCO₂e.

– Concentration of lime and cement in the treatment of materials: We have also further reduced the concentration of lime in the backfill from 2% to 1.5%. This will result in the avoidance of approximately 9,000 tCO₂e.