Briefing: Advancing sustainability practice in geotechnical design and construction

The article introduces the first two EFFC/DFI Sustainability Guides, developed by the Deep Foundations Institute (DFI) and the European Federation of Foundation Contractors (EFFC), to help geotechnical companies align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. EFFC/DFI Sustainability Guide No. 1: Carbon Reduction outlines how geotechnical firms can reduce greenhouse gas emissions across direct (Scope 1), indirect (Scope 2) and supply chain related (Scope 3) activities. The guide emphasises practical strategies, from equipment efficiency to design choices, and introduces the EFFC/DFI Carbon Calculator for estimating emissions to facilitate optimisation during design. EFFC/DFI Sustainability Guide No. 2: Circular Economy contrasts linear and circular economic models, advocating for material reuse, waste reduction and extended product life. The guide offers actionable steps in design, procurement and site management, as well as highlighting relevant sustainability accreditations. These guides provide practical, scalable solutions and encourage industry-wide adoption. They are the first in a series of guides that EFFC/DFI is preparing to help the deep foundations industry respond to growing legislative, financial and workforce pressures for sustainability.