ROAD TO NET ZERO
Discover.
Design.
Deliver.
Future.
Project Objectives
The "Road to Net Zero" project aims to revolutionise the UK's street works and road works sectors by developing comprehensive strategies and innovative solutions to significantly reduce carbon emissions and achieve sustainability goals.
The Road to Net Zero
The journey so far
- November 2021 - Initial project funding approved
- May 2021 - 'Discovery Phase' begins
- February 2023 - Funding for 'Design Phase' approved
- May 2023 - 'Design Phase' begins
- February 2024 - Funding for 'Delivery Phase' approved
- May 2024 - 'Delivery Phase begins
- May 2025 - Embedment within sector
- December 2026 - PHD Thesis
Delivery Phase Workshop
'Decarbonising Street Works and Road Works'
- Date: 7 November 2024
- Time: 10:00 to 16:00
- Location: University of Birmingham
The workshop will outline the origins and objectives of the Road to Net Zero project and the progress achieved with the Carbon Calculator. The primary focus, however, will be on the development of the 'All Consequences Calculator' – covering the wider social, economic and other environmental impacts of design choices for road works and street works – and an associated 'Decision Support Framework'.
Attendees can expect an interactive programme of presentations, discussions and networking opportunities, and an opportunity to become involved in testing the beta version of the tool in the future.
Partners
SMRUK
Thermal Road
Morrisones Energy Services SVG
HAUC(UK)
Symology
PAM
The Scottish Roadworks Commissioner
Transport for London
JAG(UK)
GeoPlace LLP
North Lanarkshire Council
Cadent
Street Works UK
SGN
Blackpool Council
Road to Net Zero Project and Data Collaboration
The success of the Road to Net Zero project relies on the collective data contributions from both highway authorities and utilities. Find out more about our commitment to data usage and protection.
Climate change is upon us
Climate change is upon us! What we do now will have a long-lasting impact for generations to come. To keep global warming within 1.5°C of pre-industrial levels requires global greenhouse gas emissions to peak before 2025, be reduced by 43% by 2030 and completely by 2050 to avoid extreme climatic changes taking hold: now commonly known as ‘net zero’.
Need for change
The heatwave last summer strengthens the need for change. Our infrastructure is not prepared for a hotter climate, with roads melting and steel works buckling under prolonged intense heat. Temperature and weather extremes are increasing pothole formation. Changes made now will limit further extremes taking hold and enable us to adapt to the climatic changes already starting to be felt.
No time to waste
How can we navigate our way to net zero in the road works and street works sectors if we don't have a starting point, and how do we guarantee that our route does not have additional unforeseen negative repercussions as a result? With many now putting net zero strategies in place, the requirement for a sector-wide critical path has never been more crucial to delivering current and future targets, providing a single source of truth to measure our progress, and an overall strategic direction. There is no time to waste.
Restoring the balance
If we can develop ways to work in harmony with nature, restore it where necessary, and limit interference in the road environment where possible, it will provide a multitude of interconnected benefits and a chance to restore that vital balance. This will increase climate resilience and stimulate the use of more natural alternatives, hence multiplying the benefits.
Expediting the transition
To implement this revolutionary concept, the sector has to understand how it will work in a real-world setting. The requirements to implement such changes and the projected costs have to be identified/documented and compared against cumulative/quantitative short, medium and longer term benefits to inform business decisions to expedite the transition.
Road to Net Zero: Webinar
Leading members of the project team deliver a compelling and informative presentation providing a deeper understanding of the project's core objectives and how interested parties can actively contribute and get involved.
We are dedicated to addressing the challenges of achieving net zero in the UK's street works and road works sectors. We are looking to foster collaboration across the industry and develop strategies that will lead us to help achieve the ambitious UK-wide 2050 net zero targets. Together, we can help pave the way for a greener, more sustainable world.