Reducing Our Carbon Footprint with Renewable Diesel

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 our project sites and offices.  

Turner has begun using renewable diesel on several projects, including on 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) in its most common form, 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. This compatibility enables an easy transition and immediate impact on carbon reduction.

“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 to work with equipment manufacturers as they work to develop more sustainable construction equipment."

Environmental Impact

Renewable diesel has a significantly lower life-cycle carbon footprint than regular diesel. Replacing diesel use with renewable diesel can significantly mitigate projected annual emissions growth, helping us move closer to our 2030 carbon targets.

Turner’s work with Yale University on its Science Hill precinct serves as an example of how renewable diesel is being integrated into our projects. The project team replaced diesel with R-99 fuel, a cleaner burning alternative to diesel that is made from waste cooking oils. This project showcases how Turner, our industry partners, and our clients can align sustainability goals for meaningful outcomes. Using renewable diesel aligns with Yale's climate action strategy to reduce campus emissions to zero no later than 2050. Turner's integration of renewable diesel was a crucial demonstration of how cleaner fuel options support the university’s commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its construction and operations. 

Transitioning to Renewable Diesel

Transitioning to renewable diesel is not without its challenges. Addressing logistical issues, such as sourcing fuel and standardizing its use across regions, is critical. Another consideration is the variability in carbon impact depending on the feedstocks used in production, which is being studied. Turner is actively addressing these issues by collaborating with suppliers, testing renewable diesel across diverse project conditions, and working to standardize its use while minimizing cost impacts.

Turner is committed to 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, we aim for broader deployment in 2025 and continued progress in reducing construction site emissions.

This effort reflects Turner’s commitment to practical solutions and collaborative innovation. By incorporating renewable diesel into our construction practices, we are building a more sustainable environment and leading the way for industry-wide transformation.