Top Marks for Supply Chain School #46

Top Marks for Supply Chain School #46

Author: podcast@skanska.com (Skanska) May 21, 2026 Duration: 24:18

You can't build or develop sustainably without a sustainable supply chain. This episode unpacks the groundbreaking Supply Chain Sustainability School. Hear from Elaine Billington, Dale Turner and Nick Baker on how this collaborative platform is upskilling thousands, reducing costs and raising industry standards for a more sustainable future. 

Guests in this episode: 

  • Nick Baker, Sustainable Supply Chain Manager, Skanska Group 

  • Dale Turner, Director of Procurement and Supply Chain, Skanska UK 

  • Elaine Billington, Chief People Officer, National Highways, UK 

 

Host: John Ambrose 


How do we actually build a future that's both functional and sustainable? That's the central question driving Shaping Sustainable Places-Development and Construction of a Low-Carbon Built Environment. This isn't just a theoretical discussion; it's a grounded exploration of the materials, methods, and business decisions reshaping our cities from the ground up. Brought to you by Skanska, a world-leading project development and construction group, the conversations here are rooted in real-world application, leveraging their frontline knowledge and foresight. Each episode features candid discussions with the people on the front lines-architects, engineers, project managers, community planners, and policy makers-who are turning ambitious climate goals into tangible reality. You'll hear about the complexities of sourcing low-carbon concrete, the financial models that make green buildings viable, and how new technologies are being integrated into centuries-old construction practices. This podcast digs into the intersection of business, science, and society, revealing how the built environment around us is being quietly revolutionized. It’s for anyone curious about the tangible steps being taken right now to reduce the carbon footprint of our offices, homes, and infrastructure, and how those steps fundamentally shape the culture and quality of our daily lives. Tune in for a practical, insightful look at the innovation happening at the construction site, in the boardroom, and within communities.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Shaping Sustainable Places – Development and Construction of a Low-Carbon Built Environment
Podcast Episodes
The Workplace Where You Want To Be [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:56
For many office workers, the post-pandemic years have meant a major transition. The return to the office has meant reintegrating into the social sphere of colleagues and customers, commuting to work, and maybe retiring t…
The Road to net zero [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:44
Roads haven't changed much in the last few thousand years. The Romans had the basic idea—a large aggregate covered in smaller stones, topped with something smoother—that we still use today. But the rock used in base and…
Bridging boundaries [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:54
Amongst the most epic structures found on this planet, bridges are the giants. But even these marvels of engineering need a little tender loving care, so that they can serve their communities for decades or centuries to…
Electric advantage: the quieter building site [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:57
Is it realistic to believe that the construction sites of the future will be completely fossil fuel free? In this episode, we examine the benefits of electrifying construction sites and the challenges of achieving zero-e…
How good is wood? The case for mass timber [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:11
Many architects agree that there are advantages to building in mass timber. Trees bind carbon, wooden buildings have shorter construction time, and timber offers superior insulation. So what's impeding the material's wid…
From Scopes to Action [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:23
Before 2001 there were no global standardized frameworks to measure and manage greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from private and public sector operations, value chains and mitigation actions. The creation of the GHG Protoc…
Pushing the limits of circularity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:13
Circularity is one of the most effective strategies for reducing Scope 3 emissions in the construction industry. So how can we push the limits of circularity? In this episode, we visit Prague, capital of Czechia, where w…
AI in construction: From slow start to fast track [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:45
In this episode we explore how artificial intelligence, and the next generation of digitalization and automation, are helping the development and construction industry to reduce its environmental and climate impact. This…
To Build or to Rebuild, That is the Question [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:03
In this episode of Shaping Sustainable Places we discuss what is best: to refurbish an old building and bring it up to modern standards, or knock it down and construct a new low-carbon building instead? Both sides have t…
Resilience: Protecting our cities from a changing climate [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:14
Hurricanes, storms, heatwaves and heavy rain due to climate change are presenting new challenges for communities around the world. Farsighted cities are taking actions now to protect themselves from these sorts of hazard…