National Highways off track on carbon target

13/08/2024 | CHRIS AMES

National Highways’ regulator has challenged it over its refusal to accelerate its LED lighting replacement programme, despite the company being predicted to narrowly miss its revised 2025 carbon emissions target.

In its annual assessment of National Highways' performance in the year ending March 2024, the Office of Rail and Road said the company is off-track to meet its target to reduce its corporate emissions by 67% by the end of the second roads period (RP2). However, it is forecasting a 65% reduction.

National Highways originally had a target of reducing its corporate emissions by 75% compared to the April 2017 to March 2018 but this was reduced to reflect a change in the way emissions from electricity are calculated, following reporting by Highways.

The strategic roads operator's total of 45,266 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) during the year is actually 457 tonnes worse than the previous year, with the company reporting higher electricity usage, business travel and traffic officer mileage than it had forecast.

The 2023-24 figure represents a 50% reduction against the baseline but, even with a set of actions during the current year forecast to reduce emissions by a further 13,758, the government-owned company will still miss its target.

The ORR pointed out that the single biggest action National Highways is taking to reduce its emissions is its programme to install more LED lighting on the network.

It said: ‘We challenged the company to accelerate its LED programme to achieve its carbon KPI target. National Highways claimed this would require additional renewals funding and lane closures that would have a detrimental impact on road users.

‘We requested evidence to support the company’s decision to not accelerate the rollout of LED lighting, which it has yet been unable to provide.’

The ORR also noted that, according to National Highways’ January 2024 air quality report, 30 sections of its network exceeded the legal limit for nitrogen dioxide in 2022.

This compares with 43 sections a year earlier. Although 18 of these sections are now compliant, 25 remain above the limit value and five additional sections are now exceeding legal limits.

While noting that National Highways is obliged to bring nitrogen dioxide levels into legal compliance ‘in the shortest time possible’, the ORR said the company ‘appears to have made reasonable progress’.

The ORR also highlighted that National Highways is forecasting that it will achieve its RP2 target of no net loss in biodiversity, based on projects it has funded that are expected to deliver new biodiversity 'units' during the year and assisted by delays to enhancement schemes that were expected to reduce biodiversity.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Director of Transport

£112,924
East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) is on a bold journey. East Midlands Region
Recruiter: East Midlands Combined County Authority

Ferry Host - WMF3049i

£25,584 - £25,992
Ferry Host - WMF3049i Windermere, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Director of Streetscene

£94,972 - £108,767
We continue to have big ambitions for our borough Fareham, Hampshire
Recruiter: Fareham Borough Council

Principal Engineer - Urban Traffic Control (UTC)

£44,711 - £49,764
Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic and engaged communities. Liverpool, Merseyside
Recruiter: Liverpool City Council

Roadworker/Driver

Grade 6 £25,183 - £25,638 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Project Chargehand (2 Posts)

Grade 9 £31,344 - £33,253 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We’re looking for experienced Project Chargehands to be part of the Highways Construction Services team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Lawyer 2- Planning and Highways

£49,764 - £54,181
We are looking for a fresh thinking and enthusiastic Planning and Highways Lawyer Hereford, Herefordshire
Recruiter: Herefordshire Council

Development Engineer

£35,967 - £41,268 per annum
Are you ready to play a key role in shaping and safeguarding the future of our highways and public spaces? Bexley (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Bexley

Professional Services Partnering Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Professional Services Partnering Manager to lead the strategic management Darley Dale, Matlock
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Technical Supervision Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We are looking for an experienced and driven Technical Supervision Manager to lead our technical supervision teams within the Highways Service. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Street Lighting Electrician (CDC)

Grade 8, £32,662 - £36,239 (pay award pending)
Highways Operations is a growing service area within the Place directorate. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Highways Assistant Engineer WMF2133e

£39,513 to £40,476
We have an exciting opportunity for the right person to work within the challenging and ever-changing landscape. Penrith, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highways Inspector/NRSWA

£36,345 - £40,344
We are looking for an organised and self-motivated individual to join our Streetworks Team based in Hackney Central. Hackney, London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Hackney Council

Structures Commissioner

Grade 14 £53,166 - £59,080 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join our team as the Structures Commissioner. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Team Leader Network Co-ordination

£51,429 - £58,140
As Team Leader for Network Coordination, you’ll manage a team that oversees all works and events on our public highways. Kensington and Chelsea, London (Greater)
Recruiter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

PRINCIPAL TRANSPORT PLANNING OFFICER

£43693 - £46731
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to join our team in Hull as a Principal Transport Planning Officer. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recruiter: Hull City Council

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC ENGINEER - 4 POSTS

£43693 - £46731
We have several exciting opportunities for suitably qualified Highways Civil Engineers and Traffic Engineers Wilson Centre, 1st floor, Hull HU1 2AG
Recruiter: Hull City Council

Principal Transport Planner

£45,718 to £49,764
Do you have considerable experience in the transport strategy and policy, and are you looking for your next career development opportunity? Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: Sheffield City Council

Project Lead - Bridges and Structures WMF3037e

£45,718 to £46,731
We are currently seeking to recruit a Project Lead to join our Bridges and Structures team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW