CN Specialists Awards 2024 celebrate excellence in construction.

The CN Specialists Awards were celebrated on Thursday 5 September 2024 with sustainability in construction playing a key role. 

The CN Specialists Awards 2024, held on Thursday 5 September, brought together industry leaders to celebrate innovation, dedication, and progress within the construction sector. These awards shine a spotlight on the specialist contractors whose contributions continue to drive forward the standards of the construction industry in the UK.

With awards celebrating everything from digital construction to social value, the event was an exciting opportunity to put best practice centre stage and inspire industry professionals for the year ahead.

Here, we explore the role that sustainability played in this year’s celebration and who ‘stole the show’ with regards environmental construction.  

What Are the CN Specialists Awards?

The CN Specialists Awards are an annual event that recognises exceptional performance and transformation across a variety of categories in the construction industry. Specialists were recognised across 23 diverse categories at this year’s event, which was attended by over 650 people at a lavish ceremony in London.

An independent panel of 83 judges meticulously selected the nominees and winners from over 300 applicants, focusing on the companies and individuals who stand out in their efforts to make industry standards the best they can possibly be.

A particularly important focus of this year’s event was sustainability, reflecting the growing emphasis on eco-friendly construction practices.

The importance of sustainability in construction.

It’s now well known that the construction industry is a major contributor to global carbon emissions, with roughly 40% of carbon emissions coming from the construction, operation or maintenance of buildings. By integrating eco-friendly practices, such as using sustainable materials, energy efficient heating, reducing waste, and cutting emissions, the construction sector can drastically reduce its environmental footprint. 

And the benefits are widespread: sustainable construction not only combats climate change, but it also leads to cost savings, innovation, and healthier communities. As governments and industries push for greener solutions, sustainable construction is essential for achieving long-term environmental goals and shaping a more resilient future for the built environment.

The ‘Outstanding Contribution to Sustainability’ award acknowledges companies that are pushing the boundaries of environmentally responsible construction, whether through innovative carbon reduction strategies, sustainable materials, or practices that limit waste and emissions.

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McGee wins the Outstanding Contribution to Sustainability award.

This year’s Outstanding Contribution to Sustainability award was won by McGee, a company recognised for its forward-thinking approach to sustainability. McGee’s innovative practices include the reuse of a modular, multi-use temporary façade retention system, which significantly reduces waste by avoiding the need for traditional demolition methods.

Why McGee won the award

The judges were particularly impressed by McGee’s comprehensive sustainability strategy, which not only minimised waste but also incorporated an anti-idling plan and the use of low-carbon plant equipment. This approach represents a significant step forward for sustainability in construction, serving as a model for other companies to follow.

According to the judges, McGee’s commitment to “engineering a carbon future” demonstrated what can be achieved when a company wholeheartedly adopts eco-friendly practices. The innovations introduced by McGee go beyond simple compliance with regulations; they actively push the construction industry toward a greener, more sustainable future​.

Other nominees and highly commended entrants.

While McGee took the top spot, other companies also made significant contributions to sustainability in construction. John F Hunt was highly commended for their long-term commitment to decarbonisation. Their efforts illustrate how the industry is gradually moving toward lower carbon footprints across all levels of construction.

Finalists in this category included:

• Blackwell Earthmoving for their Anti-Idle Initiative, which tackled unnecessary emissions from idle machinery.
• Cognition Land and Water for their Gas Pipeline Decommissioning project, which prioritised eco-friendly practices in decommissioning large-scale infrastructure.
• Milbank Concrete Products and Sapphire Balconies, both of which made significant strides in reducing their Scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions, contributing to industry-wide carbon reduction goals​.

The recognition of these companies is a testament to the construction industry’s evolving role in combating climate change. Sustainable construction practices are no longer a niche interest; they are essential to meeting the UK’s carbon reduction targets. Awards like the Outstanding Contribution to Sustainability serve to highlight the best examples of innovation and commitment in this crucial area.

How to make your construction project more sustainable.

The CN Specialists Awards 2024 have once again brought attention to the outstanding achievements within the construction industry. By celebrating these achievements, the awards encourage the entire industry to aim higher and work towards a more sustainable future for construction.

Here at Buildpass, this is something we celebrate and advocate for on a daily basis. We’re experts in sustainable construction, and strive to take the guesswork out of environmentally conscious building and design.

Explore our full range of services and book a consultation to find out more.

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