Environmental & Carbon Lead

Costain Group; Greater London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction company is seeking an Environmental and Carbon Manager for the HS2 project in Greater London. This role involves ensuring compliance with environmental regulations, providing expertise on carbon reduction strategies, and managing sustainability performance. The ideal candidate will have a degree, relevant industry experience, and a passion for environmental issues. Tasks include preparing training, managing the Environmental Management System, and supporting contract management with environmental matters. This position requires strong communication skills and a proactive approach to sustainability.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years’ relevant experience in LCA.
• Familiarity with ISO 14040, ISO 14044 and carbon LCA methodologies.
• Experience assessing carbon and energy impact of construction projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide carbon-related expertise to project teams.
• Quantify whole life cycle carbon emissions.
• Ensure good environmental management at each site.

Skills

Lifecycle assessment (LCA)

Carbon footprinting tools

Communication skills

Time management

Passion for Environment and Sustainability

Education

Degree level education

Chartered Environmentalist

Tools

ISO 14040

ISO 14044

Type III environmental declarations

Job description

Description

HS2 is Great Britain’s new high-speed railway. Once operational, HS2’s British-built bullet trains will provide zero-carbon journeys between the UK’s two largest cities, Birmingham and London.

Comprising 140-miles of track, four new state-of-the art stations, two depots, 32 miles of tunnel, and 130 bridges, HS2 will leave a legacy of environmentally responsible travel, economic regeneration and technological innovation for generations to come.

HS2 Rail Systems Package 2 involves the design, supply, build, testing and commissioning of all tunnel and lineside M&E systems between London and Birmingham. Scope of works includes installation of tunnel ventilation, cable management, containment and earthing, fire suppression systems, LV distribution and tunnel lighting, cross passage doors, earthing & bonding, points heating, junction lighting and power installation. Costain will be prime contractor, delivering the works with the support of a design team and specialist supply chain partners.

Reporting to the delivery director, The Environmental and Carbon Manager will ensure the successful delivery of the project in line with the Client, Parent companies and Legal requirements with regards to Environmental and Carbon management.

Responsibilities

• Providing carbon-related expertise to the project teams to aid the development of the low‑carbon design in line with HS2’s carbon minimisation policy, influencing best practice and innovation throughout the project
• Quantifying of whole life cycle carbon emissions to identify carbon hotspots and inform carbon reduction strategies as well as necessary reporting on this
• Responsible for identifying and managing any environmental Undertakings and Assurances and ensuring compliance.
• Working with the delivery teams at each site to ensure good environmental management and compliance with the environmental management plan.
• Works with the interfacing contractors in the lead up to Principal Contractor handovers.
• Working with the wider project team to ensure that all carbon reduction, sustainable material requirements are appropriately accounted for within the programme and target cost
• Understand the Client Carbon and Sustainability Policies and Processes and statutory requirements to develop the Costain processes to ensure the requirements are implemented on the project.
• Assist and provide advice to Contract Management in the understanding of stakeholders (internal and external) aims, priorities and risks with regards to the Carbon.
• Monitoring, analysis and reporting of environment, Carbon and sustainability performance. Utilise data to highlight areas of further consideration, evaluation and intervention.
• Prepare and present environmental and sustainability training/briefings.
• Understand the Client, Joint Venture Partners and supply chains Environment and Sustainability Policies, Processes and statutory requirements as they affect the contract's operations and ensure that the requirements, as applicable within their discipline, are implemented on the project.
• Provide environmental specialist support to the commercial team for any scope changes, early warnings or other formal communications required with the client on environmental matters.
• Provide operational and functional management advice to the design and construction team on the practical implementation of contract policies and processes. Provide assurance to senior management team, understanding and communicating all key risks and relevant information as necessary to ensure sound environmental management across the contract.
• Maintain the Environmental Management System, certified to ISO 14001:2015, ensuring it remains appropriate to all contract risks and legal compliance at a minimum (incl. the HS2 Act and associated Environmental Minimum requirements). Monitor and report performance against targets and drive innovation and continuous improvement throughout the contract team.
• Development and implementation of the Environmental and Carbon Management plans in line with the Costain and HS2 requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Essential

• Minimum of three years’ relevant experience (within the last five years). Such experience must clearly demonstrate a practical understanding of life cycle assessment (LCA) and its methodology. This included familiarity and use of ISO 14040, ISO 14044 and use of carbon footprinting tools or other carbon LCA methodologies
• Experience in undertaking assessments of the carbon and energy impact of construction projects
• Knowledge and experience includes application of Type III environmental declarations in the construction context, specifically awareness of EN 15978:2011 and EN 15804:2012+A1: 2013
• Excellent organisations, communication and time management skills
• Demonstrates an unwavering passion for the Environment and Sustainability, driving innovation and an ability to positively influence and develop those around them.
• #LI-SA2

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree level education
• Chartered Environmentalist, Full Member of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) or equivalent and registered Environmental Auditor (required but with extensive EMS and audit experience can be acquired once in post).