National Highways has created a new division for Environmental Sustainability.

The government-owned company said the move ‘underlines its commitment to the environment and achieving net zero carbon'.

The new division will be headed by Stephen Elderkin (pictured) and have a staff of 50. National Highways said the division will work with its executive directors and board on the 2050 net zero target and bring together its environmental teams and a new carbon team into one central division, raising the profile of environment within the organisation and creating additional capacity and capability.

The division will also develop National Highways' new environmental strategy – ‘a key theme that will be central to any future road investment strategies'.

National Highways said it 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

The company said that Mr Elderkin brings extensive experience to the position from both major project delivery and economic and chief analyst roles. He led the £1bn A12 upgrade scheme for the last three years.

Before joining National Highways, his career focused on environmental sustainability, including within central government. His roles included leading the government analysis for the Climate Change Act, carbon budgets and energy efficiency policies.

He said: ‘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.'

Mike Wilson, executive director, safety engineering and standards, said: ‘We're committed to our ambitious vision of net zero by 2050 but recognise the scale of the challenge that faces us. Being able to call on someone with Stephen's experience will make a real difference in our capability to deliver that promise.'