The Highways Sector Council (HSC) has launched a free toolkit to help the industry align with the PAS 2080 standard for managing carbon emissions in infrastructure and buildings.
The industry group, which is endorsed by the Department for Transport, said it developed the PAS 2080 Alignment Tool as a key step in its commitment to driving down carbon emissions in the sector.
It added that the toolkit supports clients, designers, contractors or wider suppliers by tailoring content ‘so that they can focus on what PAS 2080 means to them and what they need to do’.
The tool is not designed to replace existing guidance or to be an online accreditation tool but has been designed around the needs of the value chain to provide simple, clear steps to align with PAS 2080.
It includes a ‘readiness survey’ to help users understand where their organisation sits on a scale of alignment to the standard.
The HSC said PAS 2080 provides the framework to bring consistency and focus on reducing embodied carbon regardless of where each organisation operates in the value chain.
It highlighted that the Department for Transport is driving highway authorities to build PAS 2080 into their operations and supply chains and National Highways has already obtained PAS 2080 certification and is driving the requirement for its key suppliers to implement the standard.
The toolkit is aimed at accelerating implementation in all corners of the industry.
Stephen Elderkin, National Highways’ director of environmental sustainability, said: ‘We’re pleased to endorse the use of this tool throughout our extended supply chains in line with our stated aim of implementing PAS 2080 beyond our own National Highways accreditation.’
HSC Member Ann Carruthers (pictured), who is Leicestershire County Council’s director of environment and transport, said: ‘This is a meaningful and practical step to help put the highways sector on the right footing to drive down carbon emissions. This tool will help local authorities build on what we’ve achieved so far and help us to collaboratively ensure our highways are truly sustainable.’
Balfour Beatty managing director, highways Phil Clifton, also an HSC member said: ‘The highways sector relies on multiple tiers of suppliers all playing an important part in the whole-life value of the built asset. ‘Endorsing adoption of PAS 2080 down through supply chains is easier said than done. Endorsing the use of HSC’s PAS 2080 support tool is a much more helpful message to suppliers in getting them aligned to the common objective.’
