National Highways makes ‘huge strides’ on cutting carbon
National Highways has announced it has made “huge strides” in its goal of cutting carbon emissions from England’s busiest roads to net zero.
Two years on from the launch of its Net Zero Highways plan, the government-owned company reported achievements in the last year include becoming the first roads organisation in the world to receive PAS2080 verification in December 22, publishing a net zero roadmaps for concrete, steel and asphalt, increasing its low emission vehicle fleet to 67%, implementing low energy LED lighting across 28% of its network, and launching the Low Carbon opportunities register.
Additionally, in 2022/23, National Highways achieved a reduction across all three emission sectors against the revised 2019/20 baseline, with a corporate carbon emissions reduction of 61%, construction & maintenance reduction of 9% and a road user carbon emissions reduction of 6%.
Its net zero plan will also continue to evolve as additional information and data becomes available to ensure the company remains on track, it said.
Steve Elderkin, Director of Environmental Sustainability at National Highways, said: “Over the last two years, colleagues across National Highways and our supply chain have been turning our net zero plan into a reality.
“That’s what this requires; a huge joint effort across our industry, supported with the right policies. I am encouraged because I see good decisions being made and we’re moving in the right direction. This has built the foundations of the programme that will deliver our targets, moving us forward as outlined in this progress report.
“We’ll continue to be open and transparent on our journey to net zero and believe this is the best approach to building trust and leadership in the sector, and our progress is something we are hugely proud of.”
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