Is Your Project as Sustainable as It Could Be?

Are you looking to build a truly low carbon building?

When it comes to environmentally friendly construction, natural stone stands out as one of the lowest carbon building materials available. Unlike other materials, such as concrete or clay-fired bricks, natural stone requires no heating or energy-intensive processes for its extraction and manufacturing.

At Albion Stone, we take sustainability to the next level. Our 100% mining approach eliminates the need for the energy-intensive removal of overburden associated with traditional quarrying techniques.

From extraction to processing, we prioritise sustainability:

• Electric-powered machinery: Our machines run on electricity sourced from renewable energy.
• Localised operations: Stone is transported less than a mile from mine to factory, where renewable energy, including power from our solar panels, is used to cut and shape the stone.
• Verified low carbon emissions: Albion Stone has a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to concrete and other building materials. We are proud to have the lowest Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) figures for natural stone based on precise, verified data from our extraction and manufacturing processes, ensuring transparency and accuracy. Unlike others, we avoid using assumptions, generic values, or misleading production allocations in our calculations.

The Importance of Choosing Local Materials

When planning a low carbon project, it’s essential to select local materials. Transport-related emissions often negate the environmental benefits of using low carbon materials. By choosing a local stone like Portland Stone for your London project, you can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of your build.
If we compare a typical sized London project to our closest European neighbour France, the increase in the carbon footprint this decision has is staggering.

Albion Stone (Portland to London, ~230km):

• Extraction and manufacturing: ~14,685kg CO2
• Transport: ~5,200kg CO2
• Total: ~19,885kg CO2

Imported Stone (Central France to London, ~750km):

• Transport alone: ~17,000kg CO2

Total transport emissions for French stone nearly equal Albion Stone’s combined extraction, manufacturing, and transport emissions.

The difference is stark. For a London-based project, using imported stone can more than triple the transport-related carbon emissions compared to locally sourced Portland Stone.

A Commitment to Sustainability

Albion Stone continuously strives to refine our processes, making Portland Stone one of the most environmentally friendly building materials available. By choosing Portland Stone, you’re not just opting for timeless beauty and durability, you’re making a conscious decision to build sustainably.

The Low Carbon Conclusion

To achieve a genuinely low carbon project, it is essential to prioritise local materials. Whether your project is in London or elsewhere, research the materials native to your area. By choosing Portland Stone for projects in London, you can ensure your building aligns with the highest sustainability standards while reducing its environmental impact.

Tags: Carbon Footprint EPD Low Carbon Transport