The DfT endorsed industry group Highways Sector Council has launched a ‘free to use’ Toolkit to help asset owners, designers, contractors, and their supply chains align themselves to PAS 2080, the recognised standard for managing carbon emissions in infrastructure and buildings.
As a key step in its commitment to driving down carbon emissions in the industry, the Highways Sector Council has developed a simple tool kit that supports value chain members on their journey to align with PAS 2080 to manage and reduce carbon across infrastructure delivery. Whether the user is a client, designer, contractor or wider supplier, the tool simplifies their journey by tailoring content to their role so that they can focus on what PAS 2080 means to them and what they need to do.
The Highways Sector Council said this is not designed to replace existing guidance or to be an online accreditation tool. It has been designed around the needs of the value chain to provide simple, clear steps to align with PAS 2080. The free-to-use tool is available now includes a ‘readiness survey’ to help users understand where their organisation sits on a scale of alignment to the standard.
Decisions by funders, designers and contractors affect carbon levels embodied in our highways assets, particularly from the production and use of concrete and steel, and from the diesel emissions of materials transport and construction plant. PAS 2080 provides the much-needed framework to bring consistency and focus on reducing embodied carbon regardless of where each organisation operates in the value chain.
The Department for Transport is driving highway authorities to build PAS 2080 into their operations and supply chains. National Highways has already obtained PAS 2080 certification and is driving the requirement for their key suppliers to implement the standard.
Highways Sector Council’s PAS 2080 Alignment Tool is aimed at accelerating implementation to 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. We look forward to continuing to work with HSC to accelerate decarbonisation across the industry.”
Ann Carruthers, HSC Member and 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.
Phil Clifton, HSC Member and Balfour Beatty Managing Director, Highways 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.”
