Creating Sustained Value is a key part of Multiplex’s annual Positive Impact Report for Europe, which focuses on the specific, measurable actions that the company has taken over the last 12 months to create positive impacts through the projects it delivers.

Callum Tuckett, Multiplex’s UK managing director, said: “Our approach to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reflects our long-term view of everything we do. We recognise the unique opportunity we have to influence upstream to clients and downstream to our supply chain, and the value we can create when our values are aligned.

“So, we foster strong collaborative relationships with all stakeholders and look for ways to optimise the design, procurement, delivery and operation of our buildings to generate sustainable results for our planet, our people and from an economic perspective, the triple bottom line.”

As the construction company behind some of the UK’s largest and most complex projects – including the recently completed 22 Bishopsgate (the City of London’s tallest tower), the redevelopment of Elephant & Castle (one of Central London’s largest regeneration projects), 80 Charlotte Street (Multiplex’s first net zero building), and the University of Glasgow’s campus redevelopment – Multiplex’s approach is based on using its market position and influence to inspire behavioural change within and beyond its own business, collaborating closely with its clients and supply chain to lead coordinated action.

The key elements of Multiplex’s Creating Sustained Value Strategy are:

• Climate Action:

  • In 2020, Multiplex achieved a 60% reduction in scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions compared to its 2017 base year, meaning the company has surpassed its scope 1 and 2 science-based target.  Key suppliers representing 17% of emissions from their purchased goods have science-based emission reduction targets. These subcontractors contributed to 17% of our embodied carbon and onsite emissions between our base year and reporting year, which is 2019 to 2020, and they span across the concrete, steel, drylining and insulation industries.

• Net Positive Biodiversity & Air Quality:

  • All Multiplex projects are audited by enforcing authorities against the Greater London Authority (GLA), Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM), and Low Emissions Zone (LEZ) targets. Multiplex has been able to sustain its 100% compliance record against these targets throughout 2020. All sites that fall outside of the regulatory zone also withhold the same standards to ensure minimal impact to the local communities.

• Responsible & Circular Resourcing:

  • By using materials with a high recycled content, Multiplex has been able to promote material circularity and increase the demand for a circular economy. The average recycled content for key construction materials across projects in 2020 was 42%, in line with the company’s Minimum Materials Standard.

• Building in Sustainability:

  • 100% of sustainability assessments targeted in 2020 were achieved (BREEAM, etc.) and  Multiplex is on track to deliver a further 36 sustainability assessments across its live portfolio of projects due to complete in 2021 and beyond.

• Health, Safety and Wellbeing:

  • Multiplex has developed an occupational health strategy incorporating support of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) ‘No Time to Lose’ campaign.

• Socio-Economic Value:

  • Multiplex partnered with Social Profit Calculator, an independent software platform accredited by Social Value International and Social Value UK to demonstrate how the company’s commitments and achievements feed into the TOMS, Five Capitals, and Sustainable Development Goals, with a total of £3.6b invested back into the community and local economy as a result of works in 2020.

• Diversity, Inclusion and Respect:

  • Through the Covid-19 pandemic Multiplex has made the most of the opportunity to accelerate plans around flexible working with several trials starting in 2020. Using the learning from these trials Multiplex has since launched “Multiplex Flex”, the company’s team-based approach to flexible working across all projects, in the summer of 2021.

• Respecting Our Neighbours:

  • Throughout 2020 and at the height of Covid-19, Multiplex continued to create employment opportunities in the communities in which we work, facilitating 68 new apprentices and 132 openings for new entrant workers.