Hampshire Highways launches four-year Carbon Strategy

Hampshire Highways’ commitment to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate against the impact of climate change has been recognised in the 2020 shortlist for Highways Magazine’s Environmental Sustainability Award. It comes as Hampshire’s highways service launches a four-year Carbon Strategy outlining how carbon emissions will be reduced in all highways operations.

Councillor Rob Humby, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Economy, Transport and the Environment at Hampshire County Council, said: “I am delighted that the sustainable way our Highways service is looking after Hampshire’s roads has been recognised nationally – and that our collaborative and innovative work on projects such as developing  facilities to recycle highways maintenance materials, trial the use of plastic kerbing and move to electric vehicles is delivering such significant results.

“Climate Change considerations must form a part of every significant decision the County Council makes if we are to make a difference, and the Highways service has taken this fully on board, with the development of the Hampshire Highways’ Carbon Strategy 2020-2024. We will explore innovations and opportunities, invest in lasting change, and continually monitor and review the reductions in carbon emissions the Highways service is achieving to identify where improvements can be made.”

The Strategy sets out what adaptations are needed to the highway network as changes in the climate bring more intense, heavy rainfall and periods of hot weather. It details how Hampshire Highways will reduce carbon emissions in all day-to-day operations including maintenance works, energy use in buildings and depots, vehicles and fuel – all with regular and robust measurement.

Councillor Jan Warwick, Hampshire County Council’s Climate Change Adviser to the Executive, said: “We are making significant progress in putting in place policies, plans and measures which demonstrate how we can embed climate change considerations in everything we do. Hampshire’s Climate Change Action Plan and Framework outlines how our ambitious approach can mitigate against, and build resilience to, climate change; and also, importantly, how we need everybody on board. Hampshire Highways’ commitment is an excellent example of what can be accomplished when we work together to achieve a common goal.”

Simon Watson, Business Director at Skanska, said: “The development, and recognition of this strategy, has come from a place of strong collaboration with Hampshire County Council and Skanska. Both organisations are committed to creating a sustainable highways service, and playing our part in the county’s approach to becoming carbon-neutral by 2050. There is a lot of work to do and I am certain that our teams in Hampshire Highways are well-equipped to meet this challenge.”

Hampshire Highways is a seven-year partnership between Hampshire County Council and Skanska to deliver highway maintenance and improvement works.

Hampshire Highways Carbon Strategy

Highways Magazine Awards 2020

You are able to keep up to date with our articles, news and publications by following us on our social media channels below:

 HOME