National Highways carbon targets officially backed by science

Science Based Targets initiative validates our net zero targets

It is a little over three years since we published our Net Zero Highways Plan. This is our roadmap for decarbonising England’s motorways and major A roads.

It’s a massive task. Our plan sets out challenging yet achievable steps to remove greenhouse gas emissions from the strategic road network, achieving:

net zero across our core business by 2030
across our massive, complex supply chain by 2040
for the whole network by 2050.

Now, our ambitious net zero targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

SBTi the corporate climate action organization that enables companies and financial institutions worldwide to play their part in combating the climate crisis.

The validation is independent verification that our carbon reduction plans align with the latest climate science. We are the first national road network operator in the world to achieve the accreditation.

Over the next few days we'll be highlighting how we're working toward achieving our net zero targets, using innovative materials, equipment methods. These include:

our work with partners to develop and trial low carbon asphalt, with trials being carried out across the country
announcing our lowest carbon resurfacing scheme ever, on the A64 in Yorkshire. This is estimated to have a carbon footprint 70 per cent lower than traditional resurfacing
how we are switching the fleet of vehicles we use to manage the road network to ultra-low and zero emission
A new partnership to help us plant 3 million trees across the UK by 2030

We'll also take a look at:

how we need to step up to the challenge of scaling and enabling this work across our whole network
the innovative partnerships that are shaping this progress.

We hope you find the stories interesting and inspiring, and join in by following us on social media and using the tag #NHCarbonWeek.

The SBTi validated targets are that National Highways commits:

to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 Green House Gas (GHG) emissions 91.1% by financial year 2030 from a financial year 2019 base year
that 75% of its suppliers by emissions covering purchased goods and services and upstream transportation and distribution, will have science-based targets by financial year 2028
to maintain a minimum of 91.1% absolute scope 1 and 2 absolute GHG emission reductions from financial year 2030 through financial year 2040 from a financial year 2019 base year
to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 90% by financial year 2040 from a financial year 2019 base year

SBTi classifies greenhouse gas emissions in three scopes:

Scope 1 – direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by a company.

Scope 2 – indirect emissions from purchased electricity, steam, heat, and cooling.

Scope 3 – all other emissions associated with a company’s activities.