Keller is committed to reducing the carbon intensity of our work and increasing the quality and granularity of our carbon reporting.
Measuring carbon reduction
Keller has net zero targets which cover our direct emissions (Scope 1), our indirect emissions from electricity use (Scope 2) and emissions from business travel, waste disposal and material transport (Scope 3 Operational). These targets represent Keller’s commitment to the planet as we build the foundations for a sustainable future.
These absolute targets will help us mitigate future climate-related risks and recognise climate-related opportunities. We divide our emissions targets using the scopes set out in the GHG Protocol. These targets and our current performance are set out in the following section. The timeframe and lagging targets we set for each net zero commitment reflect the size and the level of control we have over each emission scope. To achieve these targets, we have set multiple internal leading targets, built around our carbon hierarchy.
This explains that, after we work through the hierarchy to eliminate, reduce and substitute emissions, we may offset our remaining emissions as a last resort.
Relative size of our emissions (approximate)
Overall performance
This year, Keller’s overall Scope 1 and 2 emissions increased. This mostly reflects increased work carried out across the Group. We place more focus on the carbon intensity of our operations, measured in tonnes of CO2 equivalent per million revenue. This carbon intensity also increased, mostly due to our product mix, foreign exchange rates and a small improvement in reporting.
Scope 1: direct emissions
Net zero by 2040
Scope 1 covers our direct emissions. These mostly arise from our use of fuel in our site equipment, drill rigs and Keller vehicles. Our total Scope 1 emissions and our Scope 1 per £m revenue increased in 2025. Despite this increase, we implemented a number of initiatives to reduce our Scope 1 carbon intensity. These were focused around the three stepping stones set out in our equipment decarbonisation strategy: efficiency improvements, alternative fuels and alternative equipment.
Read about our Scope 1 progress in our sustainability brochure.
Scope 2: Indirect emissions from electricity
Net zero by 2030
Scope 2 covers indirect emissions from the electricity we use. These emissions are mostly from office and maintenance yard operations, although 2025 saw a further increase in construction sites running entirely from grid electricity. Location-based emissions are dependent on the average carbon intensity of energy generation in the countries in which we operate. Market-based emissions use the specific energy tariff for each of our offices and maintenance yards and therefore capture green energy tariffs.
Read about our Scope 2 progress in our sustainability brochure.
Scope 3: All other indirect emissions
Net zero for Operational Scope 3 by 2050
Scope 3 represents all other indirect emissions, mostly from Keller’s supply network. This means Scope 3 is the largest proportion of Keller’s emissions. For the first time, in 2025 we estimated our total Scope 3 emissions, using a spend-based methodology. To reflect our data quality and where we believe we can have the most impact, we have set a net zero target for Operational Scope 3.
Read about our Scope 3 progress in our sustainability brochure.
The carbon hierarchy
Case study
One of Keller’s lowest carbon projects
Promoting ground improvement techniques over traditional foundation piles – along with a fuel made from waste vegetable oil – has resulted in a significant reduction in carbon emissions on a major project in the Netherlands.
EVO Park is a proposed new logistics park in Weert that promises environmentally friendly features, including solar panels and a sedum roof. But sustainability is also a key factor for the construction, as Marcel Mertens, Branch Manager, explains.
“The most common solution in the Netherlands for projects such as this is concrete piles. But since Keller came into the market, we’ve opened many people’s eyes to more environmentally friendly techniques.”
“For this project, we proposed stone columns, which are among our most sustainable products. They involve creating densely compacted columns of gravel or other natural aggregates, eliminating the need for concrete or grout and significantly reducing cost and the carbon footprint.”
For EVO Park, gravel was sourced from a local supply just 20km away. The first part of the project was completed in April 2025, with the Keller team installing almost 10,000 stone columns. A second phase will start later in 2026 and involve another 2,000 columns.
Fossil-free fuel
The team also used hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) in two of its newest rigs. The oil is a fossil-free alternative to diesel that saves up to 90% of total lifecycle emissions.
“Although we’ve trialled HVO on smaller projects, this has been the biggest test so far,” Marcel adds. “We experienced no problems at all and have now committed to using it in all our equipment wherever possible.”
“With increasing demand for sustainability on construction projects, Keller is well placed to help our clients reach ever-higher levels of certification.”