Local contractor Willmott Dixon has launched a range of initiatives that aim to improve sustainability across Nottinghamshire, as part of its pledge to reduce carbon emissions.
The initiatives – which include planting more than 2,800 trees, installing electric charging points at its developments across the city and offering only electric or hybrid company cars – are part of the business’ ‘Now or Never’ sustainability strategy.
Willmott Dixon has generously donated £14,000 to the Woodland Trust to support the planting of 2,800 trees. These trees will be planted alongside the banks of the River Trent to help alleviate flooding and offset carbon emissions, in conjunction with Trent Rivers Trust. The initiative will see the trees planted throughout Nottingham later this year and contribute to the company’s commitment to planting 100,000 new trees across the UK by 2030.
Nick Heath, director of delivery at Willmott Dixon, said: “We’re very excited about this project and can’t wait for planting season to begin so we can get the trees in the ground. The River Trent is such an iconic part of Nottingham, and we’re glad that we’re able to contribute towards its maintenance by alleviating flood risks and lining it with more greenery.
“Sustainable construction is incredibly important to Willmott Dixon and, after completing so many amazing projects across Nottingham, it’s only right that we do our bit to help the city combat climate change by supporting experts like the Woodland Trust and Trent Rivers Trust to keep the River Trent in the best shape possible.”
Willmott Dixon is also installing electric vehicle charging points at eight existing sites across the Midlands – including the new £15.9 million leisure centre in Bingham and the contractor’s Nottingham office at Lock House.
These installations are part of a wider initiative that will see Willmott Dixon roll out electric vehicle charging points across all new sites nationally, through their recenty launched partnership with Rolec. The scheme will provide the necessary infrastructure to encourage the company’s people to switch to electric cars under the company’s car scheme.
Nick continued: “We’re pleased to be making progress towards reducing our carbon emissions and these projects are going to help us meet our ambitious targets. The transition to electric vehicles is ongoing, but since the rollout of our electric company car scheme we now have 13 per cent of our 300 employees in the East Midlands having already adopted to more sustainable transport in the last six months.
“By 2030 we hope to have a fully electric fleet, so it’s critical that we provide the necessary infrastructure on each of our sites to allow this to happen. Not only will this encourage our teams to make the transition, but it will also set a great example to others within the construction industry – helping to influence a reduction in fossil fuels on a wider scale.”
Jake Hudson, fleet business development manager at Rolec, added: “It is great to be able to assist with the provision of electric vehicle charge points for all of Willmott Dixon’s sites, sharing the vision of their 2030 ‘Now or Never’ sustainability strategy to deliver a greener future.”
