Sustainability and CSR

Sustainability

Dawson-WAM demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainable and environmentally responsible engineering. Our Sustainability Policy sets out clear priorities: integrating environmental, social, and economic balance into decision-making; engaging their project teams, clients, and supply chain in best practice; and promoting sustainable procurement and resource efficiency.

Our Environmental Policy reinforces this by emphasising pollution prevention, efficient use of materials, reducing carbon footprint, and adhering to high standards such as ISO 14001 and our PAS2080 accreditations.

In practice, we have delivered sustainability through actions like:

National Highways

Achieving the first ever reuse of sheet piles for permanent work on a National Highways – On the M4 works under the National Emergency Area Retrofit programme, Dawson-WAM collaborated with SMP Alliance, Balfour Beatty, Jacobs, and National Highways to reuse steel sheet piles (originally from Thames Tideway) for a permanent structural wall. This delivered measurable environmental benefits: saved 62,885 kg of new steel, avoided 173,562 kg CO₂e  emissions, and reduced material procurement costs.

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Shimna Flood Alleviation Scheme

Winning the Considerate Constructor Scheme ‘Leading Lights’ award for diverting over 180 cubic meters of polystyrene waste from landfill in the Shimna Flood Alleviation Scheme by finding a recycling route where it’s used as building insulation.

BREEAM

Completing projects that achieve Excellent BREEAM Infrastructure ratings, which reflect high environmental sensitivity, technical innovation, and responsible social impact.

Campbeltown Flood Protection Scheme

In our Campbeltown Flood Protection Scheme, designing the works to reduce material import where possible, using locally sourced fill, utilising in-house steel mats, and applying vibration-less piling techniques to minimise disruption and environmental impact.

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Upper Falls Wastewater Treatment site

In our Upper Falls Wastewater Treatment site we brought abandoned aeration tank assets back to life, repurposing them for stormwater storage.

CSR

At Dawson-WAM, we are committed to conducting business ethically and responsibly, ensuring that our work benefits not only clients but also the communities and environments in which we operate. We minimise our environmental impact through sustainable practices, responsible procurement, and innovative engineering solutions. We actively engage with local communities, support our employees’ wellbeing and development, and uphold the highest standards of integrity and fairness across our supply chain. Through these commitments, we strive to deliver long-term social, environmental, and economic value.

Some recent examples of these efforts include;

Playground Refurbishment at Lockey Farm

Staff from Dawson-WAM’s SMP Alliance projects (M3, M4 & M25 NEAR) spent a day helping Lockey Farm by tidying up and repainting the farm’s playground equipment. The work was finished ahead of schedule, and the team also got involved in testing some of the farm equipment.

Visiting local schools

To talk about civil engineering (in 2025 we reached out to over 800 pupils) – explaining how foundations work, how water supply and drainage systems operate, and the machinery and materials used in the industry.

The company also donated building materials, activity sheets, colouring packs, and resources for classroom use.

Welcoming Student Civil Engineers

Dawson-WAM hosts student civil engineers, giving them induction, training, and site visits to real projects including the new Children’s Hospital in Belfast and Northern Ireland Water projects. This helps young people understand the field and gain hands-on experience.

Charitable Sponsorship & Support

The company is an annual sponsor of several sports clubs and charities. Their main formally recognised charity is WaterAid, which works globally on water, sanitation and hygiene. Other sponsorships include local rugby clubs, as well as engagements with a range of health and social charities. In 2025 the company donated over £40,000 to local charities and communities in need.