National Highways publishes net zero progress report

Two years on from the launch of its Net Zero Highways plan, National Highways is reporting carbon reductions against it three main pillars – corporate, construction, road users – in its endeavour to reach net zero carbon emissions on the Strategic Roads Network.

Achievements recorded in its newly published net zero progress report On the road to net zero include becoming the first roads organisation in the world to receive PAS2080 verification, publishing 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.

The net zero highways plan commits National Highways to cut its own corporate emissions to net zero by 2030, followed by maintenance and construction emissions by 2040 and those from road users by 2050. 

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 per cent, construction & maintenance reduction of 9 per cent and a road user carbon emissions reduction of 6 per cent.

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.

“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.”

The progress report includes new examples of carbon-cutting activities introduced by the company in the last two years which include:

• Purchased 99.7% of energy from zero carbon sources

• Installed energy efficient measures at 32 depots

• Switched 28% of the network’s lighting to low energy LEDs

• Launched PAS2080 verified Carbon Management System

• Published net zero roadmaps for concrete, steel and asphalt

• Launched low carbon opportunities register

• Invested £42.3m in active travel schemes

• Published views on net zero HGV trials

• Agreed seven motorway service areas for Energy Storage Systems

• Established a carbon hub

• Improved carbon data capture methods