Turner Construction Company is reducing its carbon emissions by adopting renewable diesel—a cleaner alternative to traditional fossil fuels. This effort is part of Turner’s commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030 across project sites and offices.
Turner has begun using renewable diesel on several projects, including major data centers. These pilot programs provide valuable data and demonstrate renewable diesel’s effectiveness across diverse climates and project types.
Renewable diesel, often referred to as Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), is produced from renewable resources such as animal fats, used cooking oils, and plant-based feedstocks. Unlike biodiesel, renewable diesel is chemically identical to petroleum diesel, making it compatible with existing diesel engines without modifications.
“Renewable diesel is a steppingstone to Turner’s carbon reduction roadmap. It’s a straightforward switch that requires no change in our existing equipment or the operators’ experience,” said Abigail Roberts, P.E., Sustainability Jobsite Carbon and Water Program Manager at Turner. “We hope our positive experience inspires broader adoption. We will also continue working with equipment manufacturers as they develop more sustainable construction equipment.”
Environmental Impact
Renewable diesel has a significantly lower life-cycle carbon footprint than regular diesel. Replacing diesel with renewable diesel can mitigate projected annual emissions growth, helping Turner move closer to its 2030 carbon targets.
Turner’s work with Yale University on its Science Hill precinct showcases how renewable diesel is being integrated into major projects. The project team replaced diesel with R-99 fuel, a cleaner-burning alternative made from waste cooking oils. This aligns with Yale’s climate action strategy to reduce campus emissions to zero by 2050. Turner’s use of renewable diesel was a crucial demonstration of how cleaner fuel options support sustainability commitments.
Transitioning to Renewable Diesel
Transitioning to renewable diesel comes with logistical challenges, such as sourcing fuel and standardizing its use across regions. Another consideration is the variability in carbon impact depending on feedstocks, which Turner is actively studying. The company is collaborating with suppliers, testing renewable diesel across diverse conditions, and working to standardize its use while minimizing costs.
Turner is scaling renewable diesel adoption by centralizing fuel procurement, educating project teams, and focusing on regions with low-carbon fuel standards. With renewable diesel already in use at several sites, Turner aims for broader deployment in 2025 and continued progress in reducing construction site emissions.
This initiative reflects Turner’s commitment to practical solutions and collaborative innovation. By incorporating renewable diesel into construction practices, Turner is building a more sustainable environment and leading the way for industry-wide transformation.
