National Highways has created a new division for Environmental Sustainability as it underlines its commitment to the environment and achieving net zero carbon.

The new division, headed by Stephen Elderkin, will work with National Highways’ executive directors and board to deliver the plan to cut carbon emissions to 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 raise the profile of environment within the organisation and create additional capacity and capability on this vital subject.

As well as driving towards net zero, the division of 50 people will also develop National Highways’ new environmental strategy – a key theme that will be central to any future road investment strategies.

Moving forward, 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

Elderkin said: “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.”