Sustainability is now part of almost every conversation in infrastructure, but what it means in practice can vary widely. At CU Phosco, the focus has been on taking a measured, realistic approach, building on decades of engineering experience while adapting to new expectations around carbon and environmental performance.
We sat down with Chris Marques, APAC Business Development Manager at CU Phosco, to explore what net zero really looks like in our sector, where the challenges lie, and how CU Phosco is approaching the journey.
THERE’S A LOT OF TALK ABOUT NET ZERO ACROSS THE INDUSTRY. WHAT DOES IT ACTUALLY MEAN IN OUR WORLD?
Chris: It’s easy to talk about net zero in broad terms, but infrastructure doesn’t move quickly. We’re dealing with assets that are designed to last 20, 30, even 40 years. That changes the conversation straight away.
For us, it’s not about quick wins or headline claims. It’s about understanding where carbon sits across the whole lifecycle of a product and then making informed decisions to reduce it over time. That takes measurement, it takes honesty, and it takes a long-term view.
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES IN REDUCING CARBON IN OUR SECTOR?
Chris: One of the biggest challenges is the pace of change. This is a conservative industry for good reason. Safety, reliability and compliance always come first, so new approaches take time to be adopted.
There’s also the issue of cost versus long-term value. More sustainable solutions can sometimes carry a higher upfront cost, even if they deliver savings over time. Bridging that gap in thinking is still a challenge.
HOW HAS CU PHOSCO’S APPROACH TO SUSTAINABILITY EVOLVED OVER TIME?
Chris: It’s really been an evolution rather than a sudden shift. Engineering businesses like ours have always focused on durability, efficiency and long service life. Those principles are inherently sustainable, even if we didn’t always describe them that way.
If you look at how the business has developed, from columns and structures through to lighting and now telecoms infrastructure, the same thinking runs throughout. We design products to last, to be maintainable, and to adapt over time rather than be replaced.
That applies across our supply chain as well. We’ve always placed importance on quality, longevity and trusted manufacturing partnerships. Those decisions naturally reduce waste, minimise replacement cycles and contribute to a lower overall environmental impact.
What’s changed is that we’re now putting structure and measurement around those principles, so we can properly understand and demonstrate the impact.
We’re not claiming to be perfect, but in an industry where sustainability adoption is slow, we believe we’re ahead of the curve. That comes from taking a practical approach and building on what we already do well, rather than trying to reinvent everything overnight.
WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE IN PRACTICE TODAY?
Chris: The biggest shift is around measurement. You can’t reduce what you don’t understand.
We’re now looking much more closely at carbon across the full lifecycle of our products, from materials and manufacturing through to installation and performance in use. That gives us a clearer picture of where improvements can be made.
A big part of that sits within the supply chain. It’s not just about where products are made, but how individual components are sourced, transported and assembled. That applies to everything from large structural elements through to smaller components that are often overlooked but still contribute to overall impact.
For example, we prioritise steel sourced from carefully vetted mills with strong recyclability credentials, while also looking at opportunities to procure smaller components like fixings locally where possible. These kinds of decisions might seem incremental, but across a full project or product lifecycle, they make a meaningful difference.
By making more informed choices at each stage, whether that’s selecting durable materials, working with trusted manufacturing partners, or reducing unnecessary transport, we’re able to improve sustainability in a way that is practical and measurable.
We’ve partnered with E Collective to support this process, with 2024 established as our baseline year for carbon measurement. From there, we’ve set clear reduction targets across our operations, including a commitment to reduce emissions by 7% in 2025. This is supported by a programme of 25 initiatives already in place, ranging from waste reduction measures through to energy management strategies.
WHAT SHOULD CUSTOMERS BE THINKING ABOUT WHEN IT COMES TO SUSTAINABILITY?
Chris: I think the key is to focus on what’s measurable and achievable.
Rather than trying to solve everything at once, it’s about making incremental improvements that add up over time. That could be improving energy efficiency, extending asset life, or reducing maintenance requirements.
It’s also important to look beyond the product itself. Installation, operation and maintenance all play a role in overall impact. When you take that broader view, you can start to make more meaningful progress.
THERE’S OFTEN A PERCEPTION THAT SUSTAINABILITY MEANS COMPROMISE. IS THAT SOMETHING YOU SEE?
Chris: Not necessarily. In many cases, the opposite is true.
Better design, better optics, better thermal management all improve performance as well as efficiency. The key is making sure sustainability is considered as part of the design process from the outset, rather than added on later.
LOOKING AHEAD
As expectations around sustainability continue to grow, the infrastructure sector is being asked to adapt while maintaining the reliability and performance it has always delivered.
For CU Phosco, the focus remains on taking a practical, evidence-based approach. By building on existing engineering strengths and improving how impact is measured and managed, the business is continuing to evolve in a way that is both responsible and realistic.
With 2024 established as a baseline for carbon measurement, CU Phosco now has a clear framework for tracking progress and setting meaningful reduction targets. In a sector defined by long asset lifecycles, those decisions will have a lasting impact.
FINAL THOUGHT
At CU Phosco, sustainability is not being treated as a single initiative, but as an ongoing process of improvement, measurement and informed decision-making.
If you’d like to explore this in more detail, Chris’s interview in Green Sustainability Magazine takes you through the company’s journey, from its early foundations through to its current approach to sustainability and net zero.