NAPA's Net-Zero Initiative Expands Again, Adds Granite Construction

The Road Forward, NAPA's plan for net-zero emissions by 2050, continues to gain critical support from major industry figures. Does the impact of these endorsements indicate a broader buy-in for NAPA's goals and climate action?

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Since announcing their plan for carbon neutrality for asphalt pavements earlier this year, the National Asphalt Pavement Association's (NAPA) The Road Forward initiative has announced one important win after another. Today, that pattern of acceleration continues with the addition of Granite Construction (NYSE:GVA), already an established industry leader in efforts of stewardship and sustainability. 

Previously, at the end of June, the association released its first-ever, full scale industry wide emissions inventory which contained the guiding data for the 2050 goals. Then, earlier this month, Teichert Materials and Holcim US, two massive aggregate producers signed on to sponsor and support the ambitious plan.

From the Beginning

Granite's involvement and commitment go back to the earliest days of the The Road Forward's development and creation. Granite’s Sustainability Manager, Raven Adams, serves as Vice Chair of NAPA’s Sustainability Committee and represented Granite and fellow asphalt producers on NAPA’s Climate Stewardship Task Force, which developed The Road Forward goals.

“The Road Forward represents a comprehensive effort to guide our industry in adapting to the challenges presented by climate change,” said Adams. “How we rise to these challenges will define this generation of business leaders, and Granite intends to be at the forefront.”

Granite is an immensely valuable partner, as shown by their significant progress in sustainability efforts. They come to the table with a long track record of decisions speaking to social responsibility as a core value. Last year, 20 Granite asphalt plants were recognized with NAPA Diamond Achievement Sustainable Commendations, which assess the social, economic, and environmental efforts of an asphalt production facility to gauge how well it puts the principles of sustainability and community engagement into action.

“Sustainability is central to our business purpose and strategy,” said Granite President and CEO Kyle Larkin. “We understand that our industry must adapt to the evolving needs of society, and that includes tackling the challenges of climate change."

How to Lead the Way

As one of the top 25 largest construction companies in the United States and a NAPA member for the last 23 years, Granite has the ability to impact the industry with its influence. What its history reveals is that today's news is far from an act of "green washing", they are walking-the-walk now and have been in the past. In addition to The Road Forward, the company also participates in the United Nations Global Compact and was a founding sponsor for two nonprofits that created frameworks used to assess infrastructure sustainability: the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure, which created the Envision rating system, and Greenroads.

In 2021 they received 26 NAPA Quality and Construction Awards, they diverted 1.03 million tons from landfills by recycling asphalt pavements, and investmented $1.85 million in energy efficiency improvements. In addition, Granite aligned its annual Sustainability Reports with standard frameworks (GRI, SASB, and TCFD) and developed a climate target to reduce scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030 from a 2020 baseline.

“Granite is living its value of sustainability, setting an example for other companies, and—importantly—sharing its knowledge and experience with the asphalt pavement industry, the construction industry as a whole, and its fellow NAPA members,” remarked NAPA President & CEO Audrey Copeland, PhD, PE. “Granite’s commitment to developing and supporting The Road Forward further propels our collective vision for the future: sustainable communities and commerce, connected by net zero carbon asphalt pavements,” she added.

For more information about The Road Forward, including details on the industry goals and how your company can support this work, visit AsphaltPavement.org/Forward.


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