From daily travel to site, to deliveries of materials and the movement of plant and equipment, vehicle use is an unavoidable part of how construction operates. However, it also contributes significantly to carbon emissions and the overall environmental impact of the sector.
At Sheriff Construction, reducing carbon emissions associated with transport is a key priority. We have taken a proactive approach to improving how we manage vehicles, travel and logistics across the business. Read on to find out what we are doing to reduce our transport-related carbon footprint.
Carbon reduction and transport
Across the UK, over 10 million tonnes of CO₂e are emitted by the construction industry each year. An estimated 1 to 3 million tonnes of this comes from transport, based on typical transport-to-operations ratios used across the sector. That makes travel and logistics a key area where meaningful carbon reductions can be achieved.
Over recent years, Sheriff Construction has introduced a number of practical measures to reduce emissions linked to transport. These actions focus on both the vehicles we use and how we plan and manage travel.
1. Modernising our fleet
One of the most effective steps we have taken is upgrading our vehicle fleet, replacing older, higher-mileage vehicles with more efficient, lower-emission options.
- Our Contract Managers have transitioned from Hilux vehicles to Lexus hybrid cars.
- Five older vans have been replaced with Toyota Corolla commercial vehicles, all self-charging hybrids.
So far, 40 percent of our fleet has been upgraded, resulting in a saving of 13.8 tonnes of CO₂e in 2025. This represents a 24 percent reduction compared with the previous year, and further fleet upgrades are planned as part of our ongoing carbon reduction efforts.
2. Improving how we plan and manage travel
Alongside fleet improvements, we have focused on reducing unnecessary journeys and improving efficiency through better planning.
- Logistics are planned carefully, including bulk material orders and direct deliveries to site wherever possible, reducing ad-hoc journeys.
- Carpooling is actively encouraged, with supervisors collecting and transporting teams to site to minimise the number of vehicles on the road.
- Vehicle usage is monitored to promote good practice, including reducing unnecessary idling and ensuring vehicles are used only for work purposes.
To support this approach, we are increasingly using digital tools to inform decision-making. Fleet and fuel management systems allow us to monitor vehicle usage, maintenance and fuel consumption – helping to identify inefficiencies and prevent avoidable breakdowns. Route optimisation tools, which use real-time traffic and road condition data, help reduce journey times and fuel use by selecting more efficient routes.
Looking ahead
Transport emissions are a significant challenge for the construction industry, but they are also an area where real progress can be made. By modernising our fleet, improving travel planning and making better use of data and technology, we are reducing our carbon footprint while also improving efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
These measures form an important part of our wider commitment to environmental responsibility, and we will continue to build on them as we look for further opportunities to reduce emissions across all our operations.
We’d love to hear your thoughts. What steps do you think construction businesses should be taking to reduce the environmental impact of transport? Join the conversation and share your views with us on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.
20.01.2026
Feature image: Freepik
