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Plant, Tools & Equipment Group

Working together to reduce air quality and greenhouse gas emissions.

Leading best practice on reducing air quality from plant and equipment

There is increasing interest from clients in tailpipe emissions for their projects, as well as a growing number of low emissions zones across the country, as part of addressing the negative effect engines have on the air quality of our towns and cities.

As a result of these challenges, Partners are collaborating to identify and provide the supply chain with information and guidance on plant standards and management.

The Plant, Tools & Equipment Leadership group was established by School Partners and other key industry stakeholders to develop and facilitate a collaborative approach to reducing the tailpipe air quality and greenhouse gas emissions of plant, through its procurement, rental and use. This is to directly address the negative impacts on health and global warming that diesel and petrol plant contribute to. The definition of “plant” for this group is “plant used in the construction and/or maintenance of an asset and consumes some form of power/energy”. It ranges from hand tools up to large excavators.

Responsible Sourcing of HVO - A Comprehensive Guide

The Responsible Sourcing of HVO guide describes the sustainability benefits and risks of procuring and using HVO as an alternative to fossil diesel as part of a Net Zero carbon reduction strategy. It provides facts and figures, gleaned from other published and peer-reviewed reports on these impacts, as well as advice and guidance, through several recommendations, on what you can do to mitigate these risks.

Through reading this report you will be able to understand how HVO is produced and the benefits and challenges associated with using HVO as an alternative fuel.

Download here

Kier have also provided this document to demonstrate how the findings from “Responsible Sourcing of HVO – A Comprehensive Guide” have been implemented to inform assurance of HVO sustainability.

Download here

2025/2026 Plant, Tools and Equipment Group Update

To learn more about the group’s targets and objectives for 2025/2026, download the Business Plan below.

Download the Plan

2024/2025 Plant Group Update

Group Activities:

The Eco-operations National Training Delivery Framework
Machine plant usage has been identified as a contributor to carbon-based emissions. To reduce this, the aim is to reduce engine-derived emissions from plant through both minimising engine run time and the more efficient use of equipment. This requires the delivery of an education programme that provides vital learning on how to achieve this. The Eco-operations National Training Delivery Framework sets out the parameters for the consistent delivery of the education required for this and provides guidance on learning outcomes, delivery content and methodologies, assessment strategies and course durations.
Learn more
Carbon and Air Quality within Plant and Equipment Learning Pathway
This self-enrol learning pathway will help you to understand how Plant, Tools & Equipment impact air quality and carbon emissions, and help you to identify solutions that reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality.
Access the pathway
Air Quality for Plant and Equipment E-Learning Module
This CPD accredited e-learning module will give you an introduction to the sustainability issues associated with air quality for plant and equipment and non-road mobile machinery. It will take you around 30 minutes to complete.
Start the module

Group Outputs:

Partners have worked to produce several resources to provide landscape and potential solutions for the supply and demand of plant and plant operators, for use by clients, major contractors and the supply chain.

Air Quality - Sustainability Short
In this short animated video, we will explain what factors can affect air quality, and how poor air quality can impact our health. We will finish off by exploring ways to improve air quality on site.
Learn more
HS2 Optimised Idling Toolkit Slides
These slides are a resource which accompanies the HS2 anti idling video. They have been developed for use as part of an optimised idling toolbox talk. Please use them to generate group discussion about the key points of the video and develop your own initiatives to optimise idling.
Access the slides
HS2 Optimised Idling Video
In this video you will find out about why idling is an issue for construction sites, and what HS2 have done to reduce vehicle idling.
Watch here
Plant Hierarchy
The Plant Hierarchy gives an overview of the steps to be taken to reduce emissions and the ease and beneficial impact of doing so.
Find out more
UK Clean Air Zones and Low Emission Zones Map
Use the map to find locations and relevant information for clean air zones and low emission zones around the UK.
Learn more
Plant Sustainability Training Schemes
Explore the range of sustainability training schemes that are available for plant operatives and site managers across the UK.
Search the directory

Plant Case Studies:

We’ve gathered examples of best practice that illustrate how the sector is actively reducing the air quality and greenhouse gas emissions of the plant equipment they hire or rent and then use on site. Have a look to learn about the variety of options available now to the sector.

 

Air Quality

Energy and Carbon

Flannery Plant Hire Introduces New D6XE Electric Drive Dozer

Video

The UK's first high drive Electric Drive dozer

Beginner
Duration 2 minutes
Learn More
Air Quality

Energy and Carbon

Case Study: Zero Emission Welfare Cabin

Case Study

Zero carbon, no air quality emissions and less noise - but how?

Beginner
Duration 2 minutes
Learn More
Energy and Carbon

Energy and Carbon

Case Study: Siemens And Automate

Case Study

Saving energy by efficiently powering site units

Beginner
Duration 5 minutes
Learn More

Meet the Team:

James and Sam are here to help Partners to get involved with the Plant, Tools & Equipment Leadership Group. 

 

Sam Walker
Group Manager
Contact Sam
Vaishali Baid
Group Support
Contact Vaishali

Meeting Dates:

The dates for all Plant Group meetings have now been set for financial year 2025/2026. Please see below for further details and the notes from previous meetings.

Date/ TimeLocation
30th July 2025, 2pm-4pmMicrosoft Teams
17th September 2025, 10am – 12pmMicrosoft Teams
10th December 2025, 10am – 12pmMicrosoft Teams
18th March 2026, 10am – 12pmMicrosoft Teams

Meeting Notes:

Download notes from any of the previous Plant Group meetings below.

Our Partners

The Plant, Tools and Equipment Group is a collaboration between clients, contractors and plant hire companies and suppliers – aiming to improve air quality standards across the industry and look to engage and inform the supply chain on their role to play in moving to low-emission CPE.