Accelerating low-carbon infrastructure at scale

Mark McKenna, Global Sustainability Director at Arcadis and Panu Pasanen, CEO & Founder at One Click LCA share actionable strategies for reducing carbon emissions in infrastructure projects — highlighting the importance of early planning, collaboration, and innovation.

Accelerating low-carbon infrastructure at scale | One Click LCA

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Reducing carbon emissions in infrastructure has become a priority for governments and the private sector. Transitioning to low-carbon practices on a large scale requires collaboration, innovation, and clear accountability. In this article, Mark McKenna, Global Sustainability Director at Arcadis, and Panu Pasanen, CEO & Founder at One Click LCA, share insights into how the industry can accelerate this transformation effectively.

Why decarbonizing infrastructure early?

Embedding carbon valuation throughout all project phases ensures meaningful environmental impact. Early commitments help systemically embed a culture of carbon-conscious decision-making, ensuring sustainability from the project's inception.

Mark McKenna highlights that in Arcadis' new three-year strategy, the company committed to assessing whole-life carbon on all new major projects by 2026. This move holds the organization accountable while also creating a mechanism to scale sustainability efforts across sectors and regions.

Accelerating low-carbon infrastructure at scale

Watch for key insights from Mark McKenna, Global Sustainability Director at Arcadis & Panu Pasanen, CEO at One Click LCA

Collaboration as the foundation for scaling solutions

Achieving carbon reduction at scale requires stakeholders across the construction value chain to align goals and actions. From clients to contractors, everyone involved in a project must work together to deliver sustainable outcomes.

Collaboration is essential to drive sustainability initiatives across teams and regions. By fostering a culture of shared responsibility, teams can align on carbon reduction goals and scale sustainability efforts.

Organizations that build a culture of shared learning and sustainability create momentum for industry-wide change. That is also why Arcadis has worked with One Click LCA to develop customized training programs for different teams, embedding carbon literacy across their global workforce. McKenna explains that this approach creates a community of practice that scales sustainability regardless of the project's location or type.

Leveraging technology to drive impact

Innovation and technology can deliver low-carbon infrastructure. From modular construction to renewable energy integration, advanced techniques can enhance efficiency and reduce emissions. McKenna highlights the role of digital tools in optimizing designs and streamlining decision-making.

The use of technology has been transformative in helping stakeholders meet ambitious carbon targets. Tools like One Click LCA streamline life-cycle assessments (LCA) and ensure that carbon performance can be integrated into every phase of a project.

For example, adopting digital solutions to assess materials and design choices enables construction teams to compare scenarios and choose the lowest carbon option, without delaying timelines. These insights can also inform broader strategies for achieving long-term reductions in embodied carbon.

Additionally, circular economy principles — such as designing for reuse and recycling — can extend the lifespan of materials and reduce waste. Combined with technologies like carbon capture and storage, these strategies offer powerful ways to scale decarbonization.

Addressing systemic barriers

Systemic barriers such as varying regulatory environments, inconsistent data quality, and regional differences in market maturity pose significant challenges. McKenna notes that clear legislative frameworks and government mandates are essential for driving consistent carbon valuation practices globally.

He also acknowledges that Arcadis’ dual role as both a consultant and contractor helps bridge the gap between policy and practice. By working directly with supply chains and project teams, they gain first-hand insight into real-world challenges, facilitating more effective carbon management.

Accelerating change through leadership

Leadership plays a pivotal role in embedding low-carbon strategies within organizations. Both McKenna and Pasanen highlight the importance of empowering teams and building a culture of sustainability. Leaders who prioritize carbon reduction in decision-making set the tone for wider adoption of best practices.

“It’s about embedding the understanding across all parts of the business, so everyone moves together as opposed to having a set of siloed experts in the corner doing all the work,” McKenna says.

How One Click LCA can help you accelerate decarbonization

One Click LCA is the world’s leading end-to-end sustainability software platform — offering easy-to-use, automated life cycle assessment (LCA) and environmental product declaration solutions. The all-in-one LCA software enables you to conduct thorough assessments of your construction projects, providing precise data on the carbon footprint of materials and processes throughout the project lifecycle.

Additionally, the Materials Compass allows you to effortlessly compare and select sustainable building materials, ensuring that your material choices are aligned with your decarbonization objectives. Together, these tools make it simple to integrate sustainability into every stage of your construction projects, driving significant carbon reductions.