New division will help reach net-zero across England’s roads

National Highways has announced a new environmental sustainability division. 

The new division, headed by Stephen Elderkin, will work to deliver plans to reach net-zero across England’s motorways and major A-roads by 2050. 

Bringing together National Highways’ environmental teams and a new carbon team into one central division it will aim to raise the profile of the environment within the organisation. 

The division will also develop a new environmental strategy. 

The division will have several key objectives, including: 

• implementing the net-zero plan; achieving net zero for corporate emissions by 2030, net-zero for construction and maintenance emissions by 2040, and net-zero for road user emissions by 2050
• developing the long-term vision for an environmentally sustainable National Highways and a strategy to get there
• enhancing biodiversity
• reducing local environmental impacts from our network

Stephen Elderkin said: ‘It’s a privilege to take on this role at such a critical time. We’ve seen how COP26 has brought heightened public recognition of the need for action on climate change.

‘National Highways connects the country, playing a vital role in national prosperity. But we must do that sustainably, making our contribution to achieving a net-zero economy and showing ambition and leadership to leave a positive legacy through our approach to the environment.

‘The challenge to us and the industry is to demonstrate how we are delivering improved environment outcomes; rapidly decarbonising transport and supporting biodiversity to create the cleaner, greener network a zero-carbon Britain needs.

‘The environmental challenges we face can only be achieved by working together – I look forward to working with our supply chain partners and stakeholders to achieve our ambitious goals.’