Ameon Ltd Case Study

Standards:

• ISO 14064-1 (GHG Inventory Management)

• PAS 2060:2014 (Specification for the demonstration of carbon neutrality)

Environmental considerations have played a key role in Ameon's emergence as one of most capable and innovative building services engineering companies in the construction sector. Since its formation in 1996, Ameon has established itself as an industry leader in the application of renewable technologies, and in the design and installation of mechanical, electrical and environmental services for private and public sector construction projects from £50K to £30 million.

The organisation prides itself on delivering quality M&E packages delivered inhouse for its clients in the construction sector.

Becoming an eco-champion in the construction industry

The UK government has committed to reaching net-zero by 2050, and many businesses, including Ameon, are beginning to calculate, report, and declare their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in an effort to play their part.

Simply put, Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory Verification helps to ensure that an organisation’s carbon footprint calculation is accurate, thorough and developed in accordance with ISO 14064-1. Ameon used this standard to set a baseline period calculation of its carbon across all scopes in the first instance to avoid any misleading (greenwashing) claims. 

With the initial stage completed and a baseline period established, Ameon embarked on its journey to carbon neutrality, aiming to achieve PAS 2060 certification as part of its roadmap to net zero. This stage led to a comprehensive carbon footprint management plan, introducing reduction initiatives such as expanding the EV fleet, installing EV chargers, and increasing solar capacity with smart technologies and controls at Ameon's Blackpool headquarters.

Ameon has set clear objectives to be a carbon neutral organisation with the setting of the United Nations SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and investing in carbon offsets that are paramount to the organisation. Through successful third-party certification Ameon has now offset its carbon footprint in line with the standard by purchasing carbon credits for projects in India, helping to develop solar and wind technologies for the future.

Ameon is believed to be amongst the first to achieve carbon neutrality in the construction sector through UKAS third-party certification. The organisation is setting the standard in sustainability, whilst giving reassurance to its supply chain that every effort is being made to continue to reduce its carbon footprint and achieve its net zero goal.      

Deciding on the best Verification methodology – Ameon noted:

      “Even with the help of an experienced consultant, we found that our initial investigations were not an easy journey and initially the GHG Protocol was the methodology we used before achieving PAS 2060. However, data collection proved difficult and there were issues using the GHG Protocol format and with time, verification was achieved using the required Government conversion factors and our own developed calculation spreadsheet.

Our team had a reasonable level of knowledge in sustainability due to previous experience working with standards such as ISO 14001:2015. We also undertook NQA’s additional E-Learning courses for ISO 14064-1 and PAS 2060 but putting these into practise for the actual methodology and delivery of the carbon footprint data was significantly challenging.

This was mainly due to new terminology, lack of information and precedent in the industry and trying to find the best way for us to collect correct data. 

We found that appointing the knowledge and experience of a consultant to take the project lead through communication, with our IMS Manager in gaining rich data worked extremely well and enabled the project to deliver our intended goals.

Without the knowledge, experience and patience of our Lead Verifier; Stephen Burt, NQA’s Carbon & Sustainability Services Director, it would have proved a much more difficult task. There was a well-balanced approached to the audit that was robust but helpful.” 

^{Ameon is a BESA member (trade body) and was awarded a certificate of achievement at their awards event in London on 17/10/2024}

Success is a long term goal

Although it is still early days for Ameon, the globally-recognised accolade has already helped them to win more tender bid. The verification has also improved their understanding of their own carbon footprint through all scopes so that they are able to focus on reduction planning and offsetting on their road to net zero.  

“As an independent freelance consultant its difficult to find a certification body that has the right approach that gives a level of support whilst remaining impartial. Consulting with clients in the construction and specialist sectors across most of the common ISO standards is challenging and NQA provide the balance that is helpful, fair and robust.

Ameon’s quest for carbon neutrality has been one of my most challenging projects as a consultant, however, one of my most satisfying. Demonstrating carbon neutrality is no easy feat and there is a massive level of commitment required to extract data and convert to carbon. I look forward to celebrating this sustainable achievement with Ameon and hope to work with them in the future and share the future success of achieving net zero" - Russell Mott, ATAS UK 
 

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