Granite Construction joins NAPA effort to achieve net-zero emission pavements

Watsonville, California-based Granite Construction has joined ‘The Road Forward,’ an initiative by the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) to achieve net-zero carbon emission asphalt pavements by 2050.

The move is the latest in many steps Granite has taken to demonstrate its “commitment to social responsibility, environmental stewardship, dependable governance and enduring value in pursuit of sustainability,” the association says.

According to a release announcing the company’s support for the initiative, Granite has been involved in the development of The Road Forward since its inception in February. 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,” Adams says. “How we rise to these challenges will define this generation of business leaders, and Granite intends to be at the forefront.”

Granite has made significant progress in its sustainability efforts, according to NAPA. 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.

Other 2021 highlights include 26 NAPA Quality in Construction Awards, 1.03 million tons of waste diverted from landfills by recycling asphalt pavements and investments of $1.85 million in energy efficiency improvements. In addition, Granite aligned its annual sustainability reports with standard frameworks (Global Reporting Initiative, Sustainability Accounting Standards Board and Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures) and developed a climate target to reduce Scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2030.

“Sustainability is central to our business purpose and strategy,” says Granite President and CEO Kyle Larkin. “At Granite, we understand that our industry must adapt to the evolving needs of society, and that includes tackling the challenges of climate change. We are proud to support NAPA’s vision to achieve net zero carbon emission asphalt pavements by sponsoring The Road Forward.”

A 23-year NAPA member, Granite is recognized as one of the 25 largest construction companies in the country. 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.

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