Article Sustainability

AGS Sustainability Survey: Insights and Sustainability Route Map

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The first aim of the AGS Sustainability Working Group is to advocate and promote sustainable good practice within the geotechnical and geoenvironmental industry. To enable the AGS to understand the specific needs of the membership with respect to sustainability, earlier this year we asked the AGS membership to complete a sustainability survey. The results were assessed and compared to the contributions the AGS already makes in this space as a basis for a ‘Sustainability Route Map’ that will give a direction and focus for the AGS’s sustainability work over the coming year.

This article discusses these results based on AGS membership responses, provides the outcomes of our analysis and presents the AGS’s Sustainability Route Map.

What has the AGS already done?
The AGS already works in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), as defined in Table 1. In the past two years, 36 articles, 27 presentations, and 16 publications have been presented that embody one or more of the UN SDGs to further the AGS’s contribution to sustainability within the industry.

Table 1: The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, interpreted by the AGS for the sustainability survey

The AGS has used its platform to educate its readership, covering topics such as health and safety and innovation in industry. For instance, the AGS wrote an article on mental health in the industry, named ‘Under Pressure – Talking About Mental Health and Suicide to Create a Safer Workplace’, addressing SDG 3 – Good Health and Wellbeing. The AGS has also written Safety Share publications to provide lessons learned from health and safety incidents, alongside Safety Guidance notes, advising on PPE use, occupational health risks, and managing mental health.
The AGS have also showcased sustainable technologies. For instance, an article named ‘Net Zero: The Use of Timber Piles’ summarised how embodied carbon in piling can be reduced through material selection, addressing SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, alongside SDG 12 – Resource Consumption and Production. The AGS has additionally established its Development Fund which can be used to support the development of more sustainable solutions.

The AGS has committed to educating those early in their careers and creating new pathways into industry. Of note, the AGS has supported the Ground Forum Undergraduate Mentoring Programme which connects students to industry mentors, alongside the Geoscience Degree apprenticeship programme, contributing to SDG 4 – Quality Education, and SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities.

The AGS has additionally held conference presentations addressing several UN SDGs. Namely, the AGS has presented on how AGS data can be better used at the 2022 Data Conference, contributing to innovation and greater collaboration within industry, fulfilling SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals. Likewise, the AGS has presented on climate action in the industry, with the AGS Annual Conference 2024 focusing on future-proofing foundation design against climate change impacts, and carbon calculation, addressing SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 13 – Climate Action.

What are the AGS currently doing?
The AGS Sustainability Working Group (SWG) are currently aligning the AGS’s contributions further to the UN SDGs. The current activities of the working group have been mapped out according to the UN SDGs, with the percentage contribution of the total output in the form of AGS articles, guidance notes and conferences from the working group assessed against the SDGs. The results are summarised in Figure 1.

Figure 1: How do the AGS Sustainability Working Group activities align with the UN SDGs?

The AGS SWG is currently making the greatest contributions to SDG 4 – Quality Education, SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13 – Climate Action, SDG 16 – Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, and SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals.
The AGS SWG is contributing to the sustainable education of its members through delivering webinars and developing carbon literacy training, educating on how resource circularity can be increased in industry (i.e., through foundation re-use, ground remediation, recycling of instrumentation for GI), and highlighting innovation in industry.

Additionally, the AGS SWG is developing an internal sustainability policy, with a focus on improving data collection to ascertain the carbon footprint associated with its activities, and running more sustainable events through catering decisions and accommodating hybrid attendance.

A sustainability charter is also in development, which the AGS intends to align with the Federation of Piling Specialists, as part of embracing partnerships to achieve the UN SDGs. The AGS are contributing to the Climate Resilience and Adaptation Guide under development by the EFFC and DFI, and working with the Ground Forum Sustainability Group, to increase collaborative contributions to sustainability across industry.

A survey was developed by the AGS SWG to consider what industry members want from the AGS with regards to sustainability, in order to better marry the AGS’s output to what its members want.

2024 AGS Sustainability Survey Results

The AGS Sustainability Survey asked respondents what they rate as sustainability priorities, and what they want the AGS to prioritise moving forward, considering the UN SDGs.

Out of 187 members, 36 respondents filled out the survey, rating how high of a priority (on a scale of 1-5, where 5 is ‘High Priority’) each SDG is to them for each question. Out of the respondents, 16 were consultants, eight were contractors, and the remaining were other industry representatives. Priority scores for each SDG were calculated by multiplying each priority score by the number of respondents who selected that score and summing up the results.

The first question was ‘How do you rate the following SDGs as priorities for your geotechnical/geoenvironmental team?’. The highest priority was found to be SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing, followed by SDG 5: Gender Equality, and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Figure 2: How respondents rate the SDGs as priorities for their teams

The next question asked was ‘How do you rate the following SDGs as priorities for your stakeholders?’. The highest priority was found to be SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing, with SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, and SDG 13: Climate Action, shortly following.

Figure 3: How respondents rate the SDGs as priorities for their stakeholders

The survey then asked ‘How can you realistically impact each SDG in your geotechnical/geoenvironmental team?’. SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing was found to be the highest priority again. This was followed by SDG 4: Quality Education, and SDG 5: Gender Equality.

Figure 4: How respondents feel they can realistically impact each SDG

From the analysis conducted, the five top-rated SDGs which industry prioritises and views as most accessible to impact were determined. These are, in descending order: SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing; SDG 13: Climate Action; SDG 4: Quality Education; SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production; SDG 5: Gender Equality.

It is unsurprising that SDG 3 was found to be the highest priority, considering the drive in industry to uphold high standards of health and safety. SDG 3 is also straightforward to impact – internally companies can implement wellbeing initiatives, and projects can cater to the wellbeing of end-users.

Similarly, SDGs 12 and 13 rating high as priorities is logical as sustainability dialogue is ever-increasing in the industry. SDGs 12 and 13 can be impacted through decisions to reduce resource usage in projects, and alignment with UK legislation including carbon management.
As the industry is increasingly embracing ED&I (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion), SDG 5 is becoming a greater priority. SDG 5 is straightforward to impact, too, as gender equality can be promoted through internal ED&I measures, mentoring and recruitment processes.
Finally, SDG 4 being a high priority is expected due to the need to educate the new generation of geotechnical/geoenvironmental engineers. Education can be accomplished through training of staff and supporting those early in their careers.

Respondents were then asked about which SDGs the AGS should prioritise, and what they would like the AGS to do moving forward. The top SDGs were found to be SDG 4: Quality Education; SDG 13: Climate Action; and SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.

Figure 5: What respondents think should be sustainability priorities for the AGS

The top SDGs were found to be in line with written suggestions made by the respondents. Broadly speaking, respondents asked for:
• Sustainability education (SDG 4 – Quality Education) including: guidance on sustainable GI; information on sustainable solutions; and knowledge sharing/webinars.
• Support in carbon reduction (SDG 13 – Climate Action) including: advice on reducing fossil fuel usage; support using new energy technology; and verification of new methods to reduce emissions.
• Alignment of the AGS with other bodies (SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, and SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals) including: joining Engineers Declare; and encouraging members to become certified Carbon Neutral Companies.

The AGS Sustainability Survey results and recommendations have been utilised to inform the AGS Sustainability Route Map, that will give a direction and focus for the AGS’s sustainability work over the coming year.

AGS Sustainability Route Map
The results of the AGS survey have been utilised to inform the creation of the AGS Sustainability Route Map. Figure 6 shows a plot comparing what the AGS are currently doing to what its members want the AGS to be doing, which has informed the sustainability priorities of the AGS moving forward.

Figure 6: Plot comparing what the AGS is doing with respect to sustainability to what its members want

A comparison has been made between the SDGs that the AGS contribute to and the SDGs that the members want the AGS to focus on, to determine any differences between the two and inform how the AGS should prioritise SDGs moving forwards. Broadly speaking, the five top SDGs that the members want the AGS to prioritise, which the AGS are not already doing to a significant degree, have been found to be: SDG 5 – Gender Equality; SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy; SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities; SDG 14 – Life Below Water; and SDG 15 – Life on Land. These SDGs can be split into a focus on ED&I, clean energy, and biodiversity, to include soil health and sustainable remediation of contaminated land.

Impacting Gender Equality and Reduced Inequalities is not directly part of the work that the AGS SWG does, as the group is not an ED&I-focused network. The AGS are working to increase their contributions to ED&I broadly and through other working groups (primarily the Business Practice Working Group) which are more relevant. Therefore these SDGs (5 & 10) will not form part of the Sustainability Route Map.

Additionally, SDGs that the AGS are already prioritising but that members want to see the SWG focus more on include: SDG 3 – Good Health and Wellbeing; SDG 4 – Quality Education; SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth; SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production; SDG 13 – Climate Action; SDG 16 – Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions; and SDG 17 – Partnerships For The Goals.

Four SDGs which members did not rate as priorities included: SDG 1 – No Poverty; SDG 2 – Zero Hunger; SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation; and SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities.

The AGS are already contributing to SDG 6 and SDG 11, and so perhaps members feel that these SDGs are already sufficiently prioritised by the AGS. It may also be the case that members feel they can’t impact these SDGs due to uncertainty over the definitions. However, SDG 11 can be linked to community social value work, which geotechnical and geoenvironmental consultants certainly contribute to through their work. An industry-specific definition list for each SDG, with examples, could change the priority score for these SDGs.

Moreover, SDGs 1 and 2 are less technical and can be covered by other business lines, as there is less that geotechnical and geoenvironmental specialists can do directly to impact poverty and food access, aside from the overall outcomes of their projects. Social value initiatives also contribute to these SDGs, and so other working groups more relevant to these SDGs can impact these too.

Therefore, by assessing the gap between what the AGS currently does and what members want it to do for sustainability, we can conclude that the focus for the AGS Sustainability Route Map will be:
• SDG 7 – Clean Energy;
• SDG 12 – Circular Economy;
• SDG 13 – Climate Action;
• SDG 14 – Life Below Water; and
• SDG 15 – Life on Land.

The AGS will prioritise these SDGs through writing articles and technical notes on topics such as how clean energy, biodiversity, soil health, sustainable remediation of contaminated land, and the circular economy can be embedded in design and construction work, holding conferences and network meetings to allow for knowledge-sharing, and reducing embodied carbon from internal operations. The AGS Sustainability Route Map will no doubt evolve over time as we explore these important topics further and gain more insights from our AGS membership.

Article provided by Charlotte Day, Graduate Geotechnical Engineer, Ramboll

Article

Response to ‘Thoughts from the regulatory front line: How can SiLCs and the NQMS help to get it right first time?

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This is the second of two articles developed by the SiLC Professional & Technical Panel (PTP) regarding the standard of land contamination reports submitted through the planning system. Here the authors respond to the quality issues raised by David Carr in AGS Magazine’s July 2024 issue and explain how SiLCs and the NQMS can help.

With increasing targets to build more houses to address the housing shortage in England and beyond, and a growing focus on developing brownfield sites first, getting land contamination reports right first time is critically important. Doing so will positively impact all parts of the sector by reducing costs and cutting time to get assessments approved by regulators, as well as enabling regulators to focus their time on the more complex sites and their wider duties.

In ‘Thoughts from the regulatory front line’, David Carr set out the most common issues with land contamination reports submitted to regulators, in particular that more effort is needed to meet the requirements of LCRM. George Baggott’s ‘Contaminated Land Reports for Planning – A Peer Review’, which was informed by his experience peer reviewing reports on behalf of several Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) in England echoed David’s findings.

There is also evidence from across the sector that the standard of land contamination reporting varies across the UK. The recent National Brownfield Forum (NBF) 2023/24 Sector Review Summary Report highlighted ‘a pervasive problem with the quality of reports submitted by consultants.’ Many reports were described as ‘minimum viable products, lacking in-depth analysis and leaving room for doubts about their conclusions. This often leads to prolonged back-and-forth communications to resolve issues’. Respondents had varying views on the quality and competence of land contamination advice being provided.

Like many current challenges, this is a multi-faceted issue. The SiLC Professional Technical Panel (PTP) has also been looking into the issue that many land contamination reports submitted under planning are not of sufficient quality to be accepted by LPAs without amendment. A Root Cause Analysis identified five key factors: a low bar for entry to the market; poor quality is not ‘punished’; developers procure on cost and speed rather than quality and value for money; acceptable standards are not well understood; and approvers can find they are out of their depth on more complex sites. A common factor is insufficient competency of those signing-off reports.

Focus is inevitably turning towards solutions. Some LPAs employ external peer reviewers to share the workload or provide access to additional technical expertise, with Suitably Qualified Person (SQP) qualification sometimes specified. Others benefit from the pooled resources of councils working together, for example Worcester Regulatory Services. With on-going budgetary pressures, some LPAs are reportedly considering charging developers on an hourly basis for planning consultations. A more drastic option being considered by some LPAs is to allow reports through without review should the submitting consultant hold sufficient Professional Indemnity insurance, however, this poses significant risks both of potential LPA liability and reputational damage should sites not be assessed or remediated adequately. On the other hand, high quality work can enhance reputation, provide citizens with confidence and expedite property transactions.

A suitable framework that provides a consistent approach to the quality of land contamination reports already exists in the National Quality Mark Scheme for land contamination (NQMS). The NBF Sector Review recognised this, but responses indicated that more should be done to widen its acceptance, particularly within the regulatory community.

Evidence-based risk assessments form the core of LCRM and supporting technical guidance, and the NQMS criteria are closely aligned to this. As part of the process, the SQP has to complete a form with the NQMS ‘Appendix 1’ criteria before signing the declaration of a report’s adequacy. The table below illustrates how the NQMS process can help address many of the common quality issues in reports that have been raised.

Quality issue How NQMS can help
Competency of those involved in collecting data. writing, assessing and technically reviewing reports Checking suitable competency for this is a mandatory element when SQPs are completing declarations under the NQMS.
The assessment needs to set out the applicable legal context (e.g. planning or Part 2A) and its specific aims and objectives. The NQMS ‘Appendix 1’ sign-off criteria require this be clearly set out along with confirmation of a robust data gathering, site investigation design and risk assessment given the legal context.
Bringing together complex, sometimes contradictory, data to inform the overall site assessment; the importance of developing and presenting the CSM, including uncertainties, and taking only relevant potential contaminant linkages through each risk assessment stage. These skills are among the SiLC criteria met by candidates qualifying as SiLC and SQP. The NQMS ‘Appendix 1’ sign-off criteria include confirmation that all information has been presented and summarised clearly and understandably.
Specific aspects to be considered at each phase, including historical land use data, justifying the scope and rationale of the investigation, justified use of statistics in QRA. These aspects and more form part of the NQMS ‘Appendix 1’, which has sign-off criteria for all reports and each report type.
Consideration of limitations and uncertainties in the assessment; for example no access to areas pre-demolition, and for all elements of remediation strategies. It is mandatory for NQMS reports to clearly highlight relevant uncertainties/ limitations along with the implications for any conclusions drawn. In the authors’ opinion, this is a key area of added value in NQMS reports.

In summary, the NQMS scheme has been designed and implemented to resolve common quality issues in reports and underlying factors, such as competency. These must be addressed during the sign-off process by the SQP. SiLC continues to audit NQMS annually and to apply any lessons to continually improve the scheme.

The NQMS is not intended to replace regulatory scrutiny but it can certainly help to get reports right first time. In fact, from a regulatory perspective, requesting use of the NQMS has no obvious drawbacks. It would push the costs for making sure these reports are adequate back to the planning applicant/ consultants before the reports reach the regulator. Reports that comply with the NQMS would reduce the regulator review time and ‘back-and-forth’ with consultants to address technical queries. By extension, this would also have a positive impact on the getting both brownfield and greenfield sites developed more quickly and safely, and would contribute to the pressing societal need to build more housing.

References
Carr,D. 2024. Thoughts from the regulatory front line. AGS Magazine, July 2024 pp 14-16
Baggott, G. 2024. Contaminated Land Reports for Planning – A Peer Review

Article by George Baggott, Associate Director, AECOM; Tom Henman, Director, RSK and past SiLC PTP Chair and Paul Nathanail, Director, LQM and past chair SiLC Board of Directors

Article Loss Prevention

The Procurement Act 2023

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The Procurement Act 2023 will come into force from February 2025 and it will change how public sector organisations procure services. If your work streams are based on such clients, you will probably have seen changes and requests for information where buyers are starting to implement compliance processes. If you are looking to become a supplier to such clients, then understanding the requirements of the Act will be essential, so that your business is ready. If you are unaware of and unprepared for the forthcoming changes, then your public sector work stream may be at risk.
There is plenty of information, including videos, from the Cabinet office, leader of the Transforming Public Procurement programme, on the gov.uk website.
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/transforming-public-procurement
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/procurement-act-2023-guidance-documents
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMln_FclCKM

Some of the benefits of the new regime include the following, but it is recommended that companies familiarise themselves with and understand the changes resulting from the Act, so they can position their businesses accordingly:
• a central platform to register and to store your core business details; for use in multiple bids;
• improved transparency and access to information. (All public procurement opportunities published in one place to simplify searching for procurements of interest);
• better visibility of procurement plans, engagement events and tender opportunities;
• greater visibility on details, bidders and winners of large public sector contracts (above £5 million);
• simplified bidding processes to make it easier to bid, negotiate and work in partnership with the public sector-including a new ‘competitive flexible’ procedure;
• more flexible frameworks, so prospective suppliers are not shut out for long periods of time;
• a new duty on contracting authorities to have regard to and try to overcome the particular barriers facing SMEs through the procurement life cycle (“levelling the playing field”);
• strengthened provisions for prompt payment throughout the supply chain (SMEs to benefit from 30-day payment terms on a broader range of public sector contracts); and
• a stronger exclusion system to take tougher action on underperforming suppliers.

Article Loss Prevention

Changes to Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP) Accreditation

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Recent changes to the Safety Schemes in Procurement reflect a growing emphasis on social value and Legal, Compliance, Risk, and Management issues. SSIP accreditation, traditionally focused on health and safety standards within the supply chain, is now evolving to incorporate broader social value considerations. This shift underscores the importance of ethical practices, environmental sustainability, and community impact in procurement processes.

Social value in SSIP accreditation involves evaluating how organizations contribute positively to society. This includes commitments to environmental sustainability, promoting diversity and inclusion, and supporting local communities. Organizations seeking SSIP accreditation will need to demonstrate their initiatives in these areas, showcasing how their operations generate social benefits beyond mere compliance with safety standards.

Legal, Compliance, Risk, and Management issues are also receiving enhanced attention. Companies must ensure they meet legal requirements, adhere to compliance standards, and effectively manage risks. This includes thorough documentation, regular audits, and proactive risk management strategies. Integrating Legal, Compliance, Risk, and Management into SSIP accreditation ensures that organizations maintain high ethical standards, minimize legal risks, and foster a culture of transparency and accountability.

These changes in SSIP accreditation reflect a holistic approach to procurement, recognizing that organizational success and social responsibility are intertwined. By addressing social value and Legal, Compliance, Risk, and Management issues, SSIP accreditation aims to promote a sustainable, ethical, and legally compliant supply chain.

AGS members, particularly SME companies that may not have taken Legal, Compliance, Risk, and Management or social values issues into account before, should be aware of these changes before they are required to produce evidence for accreditation purposes.

Article provided by Murray Bateman, Director, Geo-Integrity Ltd

Article Loss Prevention Sustainability

Carbon Net Zero Reporting Requirement for AGS members

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The UK government has set a target to achieve carbon net zero by 2050, compelling businesses to drastically reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. To support this, larger companies are required to disclose their environmental impact through frameworks such as the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). Companies with over 250 employees, annual turnovers exceeding £36 million, or balance sheets over £18 million must comply, reporting their energy use, carbon emissions, and sustainability strategies. This reporting covers Scope 1, direct emissions from fuel use, Scope 2, indirect emissions from electricity use, and Scope 3, business travel. TCFD also requires companies to disclose the financial risks to their business from climate change and decarbonisation.

These regulations are expected to extend to smaller companies as the UK intensifies its climate action. By the mid-2020s, medium-sized enterprises may also be required to report on their carbon footprints and implement sustainability measures. This expansion will affect members of the AGS, as they will need to adopt comprehensive environmental management practices and increase transparency in their operations.

Early compliance and proactive adaptation will be essential for AGS members. They will need to invest in cleaner technologies and enhance their sustainability initiatives to align with the upcoming regulations. This shift not only helps in meeting regulatory requirements but also positions these companies competitively in a market increasingly driven by environmental consciousness and sustainability.

Article provided by Murray Bateman, Director, Geo-Integrity Ltd

Article Loss Prevention

Survey of AGS members

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In June last year the AGS Loss Prevention Working Group undertook a survey of AGS members, requesting comments on their recent and current commercial, contractual and legal issues which have affected their organisations in the past 12 months. 17 comments were received which covered a variety of topics.

The members of the LPWG would like to thank all those who submitted their comments. The working group are currently reviewing these comments, and will use them to help guide the LPWG in their choice of topics for future work, including producing Magazine articles and guidance documents.

Six comments were made on issues regarding Professional Indemnity Insurance and cap on liability, in particular the level of PI insurance cover requested, and the ability to obtain such cover at reasonable rates.

Three comments were made on issues regarding the requests from clients for Reassignment and Collateral Warranties, such as unlimited reassignments.

There were two comments about CDM. These related to whether the organisations being requested by the client to be the Principal Contractor were the appropriate organisations to undertake that role and were competent to do so.

Six other comments were received regarding issues relating to the general trading situation. These covered Government u-turns, slow planning decisions, lack of information, increased risk, shorter programmes, increased overheads, insolvency of other companies in the project, overall project management issues, and pay when paid clauses.

News

AGS Magazine: January 2025

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The Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists is pleased to announce the January 2025 issue of their publication; AGS Magazine. To view the magazine click here.

This free, publication focuses on geotechnics, engineering geology and geoenvironmental engineering as well as the work and achievements of the AGS.

There are a number of excellent articles in this issue including;

  • • Carbon Net Zero Reporting Requirement for AGS members – Page 5
    • Roadmap for AGS Piling released – Page 9
    • AGS Annual Conference – Page 13
    • Response to ‘Thoughts from the regulatory front line: How can SiLCs and the NQMS help to get it right first time? – Page 18
    • AGS Sustainability Survey: Insights and Sustainability Route Map – Page 21
    • What is PAS2080 and how is it relevant to geotechnical engineers? – Page 28
    • The Heat is on for Ground Source Heat Pumps – Page 34
    • Q&A with Dipalee Jukes – Page 40

Plus much, much more!

Advertising opportunities are available within future issues of the publication. To view rates and opportunities please view our media pack by clicking HERE.

If you have a news story, article, case study or event which you’d like to tell our editorial team about please email ags@ags.org.uk. Articles should act as opinion pieces and not directly advertise a company. Please note that the publication of editorial and advertising content is subject to the discretion of the editorial board.

Article Business Practice Contaminated Land Data Management Executive Geotechnical Instrumentation & Monitoring Laboratories Loss Prevention Safety Sustainability

Early Careers Poster Competition 2025

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Tags: AGS AGS Early Careers Poster Competition 2025 Early Careers Featured workplace innovations

The AGS Early Careers Poster Competition is returning for a second year, this time with a new theme of workplace innovations.

This year, we’d like to see examples of innovations in your line of work designed into a captivating and eye-catching poster. Examples could include using remote sensing, incorporating Artificial Intelligence into projects, adopting innovative ground investigation techniques or practicing unique innovations in digital technology.

The poster should be colourful, eye-catching and aim to inspire businesses to become more innovative.

The winner will receive a Selfridges hamper worth approximately £100, free entry to attend the Annual Conference and Networking Reception on Thursday 1st May in London, plus have their poster and an accompanying article printed in AGS Magazine, which reaches over 6,600 industry professionals 6 times a year.

All posters submitted will be printed and displayed at the Annual Conference.

To enter, email your A4 poster alongside your full name and company to ags@ags.org.uk. Entry closes on Friday 11th April at 9pm.

ENTRY INFORMATION

Posters should be submitted in a high resolution (300dpi), A4 format and can be created by any means, from drawing by hand, utilising photography, to computer-generated artwork.

Entrants should have no more than 10 years industry experience.

Please note that all submitted posters will be printed and displayed at the AGS Annual Conference.

To enter, please email your poster alongside your full name and company to Caroline Kratz at ags@ags.org.uk with the subject title ‘AGS Poster Competition’. The deadline for entries is Friday 11th April at 9pm.

ABOUT THE AGS ANNUAL CONFERENCE

The Annual Conference is the flagship event in the AGS’ calendar. Taking place on 1st May 2025 at One Great George Street in London, the event will see over 240 geotechnical and geoenvironmental professionals in attendance.

This year’s Annual Conference has an overarching theme of the future and the AGS will be donating a percentage of profits made to Projects for Nature, an initiative which aims to restore nature recovery in the UK.

For further information and to register click HERE or email ags@ags.org.uk

News Data Management

Roadmap for AGS Piling released

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AGS Piling is a data transfer format for piling data which includes design schedule information, the construction record, as-built information and pile testing data. It is being developed by the AGS Data Management Working Group, in collaboration with the Federation of Piling Specialists (FPS), with support from the Deep Foundations Institute (DFI).

A roadmap for the future of AGS Piling has recently been issued. This identifies the processes and actions required to get AGS Piling ready for formal publication, before going on to look at what needs to happen to achieve the ultimate goal of establishing the use of AGS Piling in our industry, for the benefit of the industry.

The roadmap can be downloaded from here. Further information including the current draft of AGS Piling can be accessed from here.

AGS Piling is being developed by a working group made up of AGS and FPS members. We are keen to expand and strengthen this group and would be interested in hearing from piling contractors or specialists involved in pile testing or rig instrumentation. Please contact AGS if you wish to join the group or get involved in some other way, e.g. corresponding member.

The working group is also on the lookout for potential industry sponsorship or collaboration opportunities to help to push things forward a little faster. If you are able to help, or have some suggestions, then please get in touch.

To contact the AGS, please email ags@ags.org.uk.

Article Safety

A New Dawn: Renewed collaboration between the BDA and AGS to improve Health and Safety across the Geotechnical Industry

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The British Drilling Association (BDA) Health and Safety Sub-Committee and the Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists (AGS) Safety Working Group have announced a renewed collaboration that will see them once again working together to improve health, safety and wellbeing in the ground investigation industry.

Members of the AGS and BDA met in London on 5th November and an incredibly positive outcome was achieved. It was agreed that in January 2025, representatives from each organization will sit on both BDA Health and Safety Committee and AGS Safety Working Group meetings, with the aim of sharing knowledge and expertise to ensure a joint approach is taken to industry guidance and practice.

Paul Breslin, Chair of the BDA Health and Safety Committee, spoke enthusiastically about the collaboration, stating, “I am delighted that this partnership between the BDA Health and Safety Committee and AGS Safety Working Group has been renewed. By working together, we can ensure that the highest standards of health and safety is embedded across the industry. This collaboration is a significant step forward for the industry and will support both our missions to promote a safe and healthy working environment for all those who work in the sector. By sharing best practices and aligning industry guidance, the two organisations are paving the way for a safer, more secure future for the industry”.

Elizabeth Withington, Chair of the AGS Safety Working Group, welcomed the renewed collaboration, commenting that “Safety is at the core of everything we do in the industry. By the AGS and BDA working closely together there will be a deep understanding of all activities in the sector , helping to keep everyone from the newest operative to the seasoned HSE manager safe”.

As the industry prepares for this new era of collaboration, stakeholders can look forward to a unified approach that prioritises the wellbeing of all those involved in geotechnical and geoenvironmental work. With the BDA and AGS once again joining forces, a brighter future for health and safety in the industry is on the horizon.

Article

The UK’s largest community of construction industry ambassadors returns to London Build Expo on November 20th & 21st

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London Build, the UK’s leading and largest construction show will be back at Olympia London this November and this year it is doubling in size, taking over both the Grand & National Halls. Get ready for an unmissable two-days jam-packed with incredible content, networking parties, the UK’s biggest Festival of Construction and more. The show is co-located with London Build Fire & Security Expo.

Each year London Build works with an inspiring diverse team of Ambassadors to drive change in the UK’s built environment, supporting Women in Construction, Diversity in Construction, Mental Health and Sustainability. This year this program has grown, with the launch of new programs for Digital Construction Innovators and Fire Safety in Construction Ambassadors.

With free-to-attend networking events held for each of the communities at London Build 2024, attendees will get the opportunity to network and connect with Ambassadors in person. Don’t miss out on your chance to  network and connect with 35,000+ construction professionals from across the UK’s built environment, with attending companies including Mace, WSP, Turner and Townsend, Gensler, Balfour Beatty, AECOM, Keltbray, Broadway Malyan, Wates, Multiplex, John Sisk, Mott MacDonald, Galliford Try, ISG, Arup and more.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:

  • Mental Health in Construction Meetup (Nov 20th, 1:45 PM) – Co-hosted with Movember
  • Sustainability Professionals Forum (Nov 20th, 3:00 PM) – Co-hosted with UK Green Building Council
  • Meet the UK’s Digital Construction Gurus (Nov 21st, 12:30 PM) – Cohosted with nima
  • Annual Diversity in Construction Networking Event (Nov 21st, 1:45 PM) – Co-hosted with Beyond Equality
  • UK’s Largest Networking Event for Women in Construction (Nov 21st, 3:30 PM) – Co-hosted with Modern Women, NAWIC, WISH and Women in BIM

This year’s London Build Ambassadors include:

“Having first visited the London Build Expo two years ago, I was blown away by the engaging conversations and the vibrant atmosphere. I am excited to contribute to the ongoing success of this event and am fully committed to helping foster meaningful connections and drive positive change in our industry.” – Katie Barrett, EDI & Social Value Manager – J.McCann

“I am excited to once again be part of the ambassador’s program for London Build 2024, with this being my 3rd year in a row participating and supporting this amazing program. The ambassador’s program provides the participant with an opportunity to be a catalyst for education, awareness and change over the various Stages at London Build, giving the participant the opportunity to be part of a topic or issue they are truly passionate about, which for me over the three years of my being an ambassador has been Diversity and Inclusion. I encourage others in the Industry to participate in this rewarding program.”  – Will Smith, President & CEO – Knightsbridge Development Corporation

“I am incredibly honoured and thrilled to be selected as an ambassador for the Diversity in Construction programme. This opportunity allows me to actively contribute towards creating a more inclusive and diverse construction industry, and I am fully committed to making a lasting impact. Together, we can break barriers and build a brighter future for all.” – Eliot Godley, Account Director – CBRE

“I am thrilled to be an Ambassador for London Build 2024. In a year where we have experienced many changes and challenges, I look forward to having discussions on how we continue to bring the industry forward and practical solutions on how we address current issues.”  – Daisie Barnett, Policy Development Manager – CIOB

“I am absolutely thrilled to be named an ambassador for Women in Construction at the London Build Expo 2024. This initiative is close to my heart, as a founder of my own Women in ConTech group, I am passionate about creating a supportive community where women can share, learn, and grow together. I look forward to further championing diversity and inclusion, helping to open doors for more women to succeed in construction.” – Lucy Wright, Head of ConTech – Beaumont Bailey

Want to show your support and get involved as a London Build Ambassador? Submit your application at: www.londonbuildexpo.com/ambassador-programme

About London Build Expo:

The UK’s leading and largest construction show will take over both Grand & National Halls at Olympia London on November 20th and 21st, 2024. This year the expo will be co-located with the London Build Fire & Security Expot. Register for your free ticket today to gain access to 450+ exhibitors showcasing the latest technologies, 700+ speakers across 12 CPD-accredited stages, 35,000+ registered attendees, endless networking parties, Meet the Buyers, DJ, live music, entertainment and more!

20th Nov (Wed): 9:30 am – 5:30 pm

21st Nov (Thurs): 9:30 am – 5:00 pm

Venue: Olympia London – Grand and National Halls, Hammersmith Rd, London W14 8UX

Email contact: rosy@oliverkinrossevents.com

Article Sustainability

Implementing systemic sustainability: reducing single use plastic with core liner recycling

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Tags: Featured

Sustainability has become one of the most important factors to consider in any construction project, both within and outside of the ground engineering sector. The past few years have seen environmental and sustainability issues thrust into the spotlight on a global scale, including a more widespread understanding of governing bodies such as the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (the UNFCCC COP), and large-scale adoption of initiatives such as the science based targets initiative (SBTi) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

However, focus on improving sustainability in construction is largely focussed on the introduction of practices that include ‘easy wins’ such as electric or alternatively fuelled equipment and fleet vehicles, the use of lower-impact materials, and an increased focus on renewable energy procurement. But what about everything else? While these aspects are undoubtedly hugely important in achieving sustainability goals, there are so many other ways in which sustainability can be achieved across the entire lifecycle of a project.

At Fugro, we continuously rethink what we do and how we do it to ensure we are key contributors to the development of a safe and liveable world. We conduct our operations in many different sectors and such a broad scope of works has leant itself to the development of a number of innovative ways to increase sustainability in these areas.

Targeting problematic plastic use

Post-Covid, Fugro decided to analyse how we could be more sustainable in lesser considered areas, and we began this process by analysing consumption across the business. We soon realised that we consume a large amount of single use plastic, and it was here that we decided to introduce our Zero Plastic Initiative, aiming to completely eliminate Fugro-deployed single use plastics and to reduce supply chain plastics by 50%.The single use plastic dilemma has become one of the most prominent environmental crises in recent times and the impact of single use plastics on our planet is devastating. Microplastics from waste that has been carelessly disposed of are everywhere, having been found in human blood, in clouds, and even at the bottom of the Mariana Trench, one of the deepest oceanic trenches on earth that stretches further below the surface of the sea than Everest does above land. Chemicals from plastics pollute soils and waterways. The production of virgin plastics includes the use of fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas and is incredibly energy intensive, with a white paper by The Association of Plastic Recyclers[i] estimating that virgin plastic production can consume an estimated 70.4 MJ per kg of energy.

Whilst Fugro endeavour to encompass all 17 sustainable development goals wherever possible, we most closely align ourselves with:

  • 7 – affordable and clean energy
  • 9 – industry, innovation and infrastructure
  • 11 – sustainable cities and communities
  • 14 – life below water
  • 15 – life on land

The manner in which Fugro was consuming plastics did not correspond with the objectives we believed we could best contribute to, nor did it resonate with the operational standards to which we aspire. With a strong determination to make the most substantial impact from the very beginning, we made the decision to tackle the most significant source of single-use plastic within our business operations first – the core liners.

Use of PVC core liners in our operations

The proper handling of waste stands as one of our most significant environmental responsibilities. PVC core liners are the most appropriate type of liner for carrying out our specific sample collection activities. Many of the projects in which we are involved present constraints related to space or weight. This is true whether we are drilling for core samples from a vessel situated in the middle of the North Sea or operating halfway up a mountain in the Scottish Highlands, as we did in 2023 as part of the SSE Renewables Coire Glas hydro pumped storage project.

There are numerous benefits to using PVC core liners, which play a crucial role in our geotechnical investigation works. Although they may seem like just simple plastic tubes, they offer significant cost savings and reduced weight compared to other options, they are durable, and because they are made from PVC rather than uPVC, they have the added advantage of flexibility. Their use helps reduce the risk of contamination, their transparency allows for easy observation, and they facilitate successful sample retrieval.

Whilst alternatives such as steel Shelby liners exist, they are significantly heavier and more expensive, and pose additional extraction risks when the sample is analysed in the laboratory. It is important to note that plastic itself is not inherently a bad choice – when used appropriately and handled correctly, plastic-based tools and parts can be invaluable in any geotechnical project. Therefore, completely phasing out the use of PVC core liners in favour of non-plastic alternatives was deemed unfeasible.

However, there is a notable downside to employing plastic core liners. Reuse, the subsequent tier in the waste management hierarchy, is unfeasible in this scenario. Upon arrival at our laboratories, the sample retrieval process necessitates the splitting of the liner, either partially or entirely, to extract the sample intact. Consequently, the liner cannot be reused and must be discarded. Our analysis of single-use plastic usage revealed that we were not handling this waste in the most environmentally responsible manner. Instead of implementing the recycle tier of the waste management hierarchy, we were resorting to the final tier, disposal/recovery.

Searching for a solution to recycle responsibly

We realised that it was imperative to instigate positive change, aligning with our commitment to support the SDGs and our sustainability objectives. However, we soon realised that finding a solution for PVC core liner disposal would prove to be a challenge.

The plastic recycling market predominantly favours easier to recycle plastics with higher rebate potential. uPVC (unplasticised polyvinyl chloride), commonly used in windows and doors, exemplifies this trend. In contrast, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) contains plasticising additives, rendering it somewhat malleable and structurally flexible, which is advantageous in certain applications but also presents challenges. These additives, such as phthalates, pose health hazards and contamination risks during recycling processes. Moreover, the high heat treatment typically involved in plastic recycling can release hydrochloric acid, posing corrosion risks to both equipment and workers. Many recycling companies are reluctant to bear the safety burden and associated costs relating to this.

In 2023, Simplas PVC Recycling embraced collaboration with us to realise our objectives. Aligned with Fugro’s values and vision, Simplas is committed to fostering more sustainable practices and reducing reliance on single-use plastics. Their dedication led to the attainment of Recovinyl® certification,  European certification scheme which verifies the process, quantity and quality of recycling PVC waste.

A secondary challenge lay in the requirement for cleaning prior to recycling, presenting another substantial obstacle due to the various mud and silt residues often stuck to the liners, as well as tapes and labels. Despite recognising the impracticality of cleaning them solely through manual labour, we remained determined to succeed. Through collaborative efforts among our internal departments, we pinpointed ultrasonic cleaning as the solution to achieve the cleanliness necessary to meet our objectives. Subsequently, we invested in two ultrasonic baths and crafted a tailored operating procedure, seamlessly integrating routine core liner cleaning into our daily operations.

PVC undergoes recycling via a mechanical process involving rigid plastic granulation. Initially, the core liners are shredded into pieces roughly a few inches in size. Subsequently, these pieces undergo a secondary processing phase, granulating them into even smaller fragments, typically just a few millimetres in size. Known as plastic pellets or ‘regrinds’ within the plastic recycling sector, these granules are ideally sized for sale to manufacturers of plastic goods. Manufacturers go on to melt the regrind to create new plastic items, avoiding the use of virgin PVC in manufacturing processes. While regrinds are often utilised in producing similar items, lower quality regrinds may also find applications in alternative products such as mats and traffic cones.

What’s the result?

All this effort brings considerable positive environmental benefit. Recycling PVC reduces primary energy demand by between 45% and 90% compared to virgin PVC production, resulting in approximately 2 kg of CO2 saved per kg of recycled material[ii]. Further carbon savings can be achieved by diverting this waste from incineration – the combustion of PVC in energy from waste facilities emits around 21.28 kg CO2 per tonne[iii].

To put this into perspective, Fugro disposes of around 4 tonnes of spent core liners annually, meaning that by simply working to ensure we recycle this waste stream we can save an additional 8.09 tonnes of CO2 from being emitted each year – it would take approximately 400 trees a year’s worth of growth to sequester the same amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphereiii. There are other notable benefits in addition to the obvious carbon savings. Recycling core liners diminishes the demand for natural resources, with the makeup of PVC comprising of 57% chlorine extracted from common salt and 43% ethylene sourced from fossil fuels or byproducts from sugar crops[iv].

Although various factors can make systemic sustainability challenging, Fugro’s core liner recycling project serves as compelling evidence that with steadfast willpower and determination, these challenges can be realistically and effectively addressed.

Plans for the future

We are committed to going beyond the initial success of our core sample recycling initiative – our next objective is to initiate the recycling of the poly bags and tubs used to store samples in our laboratories, of which we go through approximately 20,000 of these items annually. Our efforts will continue to extend further down the single-use plastic chain, encompassing every item, right down to the very last sample tag and zip tie.

Finally, we must ensure that we share best practice and lessons learned with those around us. Fugro operate in 57 countries across the world and our international colleagues often encounter similar issues around plastic recycling. By delivering tangible benefits and laying the foundation for enduring change, we can amplify and maximise the environmental benefits of such approaches across our global portfolio.

But why stop there? Engagement with clients, geotechnical specialists, and other stakeholders around the single use plastic crisis is critical to ensuring the ground engineering sector can fully realise the benefits of adopting a circular economy approach. The industry as a whole need to make sure that we continue on a path of true sustainability, using open communication and knowledge sharing to ensure that a combination of effective techniques are used. This allows the industry to achieve the best environmental outcomes operationally, benefitting not only ourselves but the planet too, and most importantly, ensuring a safe and sustainable environment for future generations.

[i] Source: https://plasticsrecycling.org/images/library/APR-Recycled-vs-Virgin-May2020.pdf

[ii] Source: https://www.vinylplus.eu/news/moving-the-pvc-industry-to-a-low-carbon-circular-economy/#:~:text=It%20has%20been%20calculated%20that,PVC%20and%20the%20recycling%20process

[iii] Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-conversion-factors-for-company-reporting

[iv] Source: https://www.bpf.co.uk/plastipedia/polymers/PVC.aspx#Raw%20Materials

Article provided by Rachael Findlay, Environmental Adviser at Fugro

Information correct at date of writing, some operational elements of this scheme may be subject to change.

Image credit: Fugro