National Highways has adopted clear net zero targets: its own operations will be carbon free by 2030; those of contractors on its roads by 2040; and of road users by 2050. The challenge will be meeting those goals, while also fulfilling its mission of getting drivers where they need to go, safely and efficiently.

The key to meeting this challenge is the carbon reduction hierarchy: avoid, switch, and improve. National Highways has set annual carbon reduction targets for its suppliers. By making use of the carbon reduction hierarchy, these suppliers can ensure that they are able to meet these annual targets.

The fear for these suppliers—and others in construction and engineering—will be that the push for decarbonisation will hamper their commercial sustainability. But, our guests explain, the same reductions in materials, for example, that support decarbonisation, can also cut costs. 

Guests

Stephen Elderkin, Director of Environmental Sustainability, National Highways

Simon Shapcott, Net Zero Director – Transportation, AtkinsRéalis

Victoria Limbrick, Energy Manager, Balfour Beatty

Partners

Balfour Beatty is a leading international infrastructure group. With 26,000 employees across the UK, US and Hong Kong, Balfour Beatty is leading the transformation of the industry to meet the challenges of the future.

AtkinsRéalis is a world-leading professional services and project management company dedicated to engineering a better future for our planet and its people. Employing over 37,000 people across Canada, the US and Latin America, the UK and Ireland, and Asia, the Middle East, and Australia, AtkinsRéalis creates sustainable solutions that connect people, data and technology to transform the world’s infrastructure and energy systems.