Environment programme
How transport infrastructure is responding to the climate and ecological emergencies through both mitigation and adaptation
PILLAR PARTNER
What can nature do for infrastructure and what can infrastructure do for nature? The environment sessions address the climate resilience of transport systems and the response through infrastructure interventions to the climate and ecological emergencies.
The programme looks at both the need to mitigate against carbon emissions and nature depletion; and adapting existing infrastructure so that our transport systems are resilient in the face of increasing weather extremes.
4 March 2025
Session 1 – 11.45-13.00
Building for a challenging future – transport infrastructure for climate and nature-friendly societies
How the design, construction and maintenance of transport infrastructure can help mitigate the climate and ecological emergency
Moderator: Zoe Metcalfe, Client Director, Local and Central Government, Buildings & Places, Infrastructure, AtkinsRealis
Lead address: Professor Phil Blythe, Head, Future Mobility Group, Newcastle University | Director, DARe
Steve Elderkin, Director of Environmental Sustainability, National Highways
Rachel Jones, Director — Regenerative Solutions, Transport, Ramboll
Matt Tooby, Strategic Growth Director, WSP
James Bulleid, Business Director | Energy Transition and Sustainability, Amey
5 March 2025
Session 2 – 11.30-12.30
From principle to practice – the gritty reality of delivery
Unpicking the blockers and enablers to delivery, such as changing behaviour, procurement, finance and collaboration through project-based examples
Moderator: Mark Connelly, Chief Engineer, Professional Head of Highways, Transportation, AtkinsRealis
David Oliver, Transport Lead, PA Consulting
Kristen Green, Head of Sustainability, Crown Commercial Service
Dr Mansi Desai, Technical Director and Head of Sustainability, Pell Frischmann
Andrew Mollon, Director of Sustainable Transport, Liverpool City Council
Session 3 – 13.30-14.30
Fixing the roof before the deluge starts – creating and maintaining climate-resilient transport infrastructure
With a focus on resilience and adaptation, this session looks at how Transport Scotland, National Highways and HS2 identify and manage their most pressing climate related risks. The panel will share lessons learnt and how these could be applied to other transport authorities and operators across all transport modes.
Moderator: Simon Shapcott, Net Zero Director, AtkinsRealis
Charlene Baker, founder and director, accelar
Cara-Marie O’Keeffe, Senior Climate Adaptation Consultant, Atkinsrealis
Subu Kamal, Head of Product Management, TRL Software