Bringing my carbon tool to life with expert global colleagues

Hello, I'm Padraic, a Principal Civil Engineer and am the engineering carbon point of contact at AtkinsRéalis based in Edinburgh. As part of the carbon work I have been leading, this involved participation in the carbon training program that took place in the latter part of 2024. The six month program has been an incredible journey. I'm truly honored to be part of such a wonderful group. Connecting with people from around the world to discuss all things carbon – and staying in touch with many of them to this day – has been fantastic.

Turning my passion for carbon reduction into real-world impact

I find it extremely rewarding to support colleagues with carbon-related questions – whether it's providing input on sustainability questions for bids, estimating the emissions of various highway schemes, or addressing general enquiries on how to reduce a project's carbon footprint. So, when the carbon training came along, I was eager to get involved.

Why I wanted to go deeper into carbon-focused engineering?

Thanks to the knowledge and insights gained on AtkinsRéalis' carbon training program, I've been able to connect with more experts across the industry and deepen my understanding of carbon. I'm now more active in sharing insights and helping the team grow our expertise. I look forward to continuing to share what I've learned and making carbon a more frequent topic of discussion with clients and colleagues.

Collaborating across sectors to improve carbon thinking

It was interesting to hear my colleagues share their knowledge from different sectors and parts of the world. I've already seen the benefit of those new connections while developing a carbon tool for rail projects. I'm based in our Transportation team, so my experience has mostly focused on highways and active travel. My knowledge of rail construction and its associated assets was limited. That's why it was especially valuable to connect with people working in other parts of the business. Since then, I have been developing a tool to easily quantify carbon emissions for rail projects.

Building a carbon tool with help from global colleagues

The tool that I have developed is called the Carbon Ready Reckoner. It provides quantified emissions data for various transportation-related projects, ranging from a dualling scheme or active travel route in an urban or rural environment. I first presented it during one of our carbon training sessions in London, where it received excellent feedback. I then developed it further and it has since been used on numerous projects and bids. Colleagues I met during the course continue to request the tool, and some have even shared my details with others looking for support with carbon quantification!

From peer learning to industry connections – what stood out for me

The group project – the multi-billion-pound Lower Thames Crossing – was a joy to work on, especially when we explored methods for reducing the carbon baseline using low-carbon alternatives. Collaborating with project directors and managers to present our findings was both rewarding and enjoyable – and it's exciting to know the presentation we delivered has been used at stakeholder events.

A standout moment for me was a presentation from one of our JV partners on Lower Thames Crossing. Hearing about the wider scheme and the challenges of bringing down the carbon baseline really deepened my understanding. That session played a key role in my development, and it was great to connect with someone outside AtkinsRéalis who was genuinely interested in my perspective on carbon quantification.

Why I value working for an employer that supports ongoing development?

Investing in people development is crucial in today's ever-evolving world. In my view, keeping up to date with new market trends is crucial, and in-person days like these really bring a great deal of connectivity. I met some people on the training program in London in person for the first time, though I have been working with them for years!

It's easy to drive your own carbon journey with AtkinsRéalis

To my colleagues in the UK, don't be afraid to put yourself forward for opportunities. Every day is a learning day, and the business has many experts in the carbon field to support their development. And if you're not a colleague yet, but are thinking about joining us, our team is hiring. Have a look at the opportunities.