Wiltshire Council and its contractor Milestone Infrastructure have been shortlisted in the ‘Supply Chain Decarbonisation Project of the Year’ category for the Edie Net-Zero Awards 2024.

Wiltshire Council has worked closely with Milestone Infrastructure to decarbonise the Term Highways Maintenance Contract. Wiltshire Council is among the first local authorities to tackle Scope 3 emissions through the procurement and contracting process.

As a result of requirements through the tender and contract process, Wiltshire Highways was the first of Milestone’s highways maintenance contracts to produce a Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP). Milestone has pledged to achieve net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions and reduce Scope 3 carbon intensity to 19.3 tCO₂e /£100k spend by 2030. In total, carbon emissions came to 5,605 tCO₂e in 2023/24 (carbon intensity of 56 tCO₂e /£100k spend) with a carbon saving made of 400 tCO₂e (~7% reduction).

Commitments as part of the contract include:

• Quarterly carbon reporting and sharing data and innovations on reducing carbon emissions.
• Use of hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) to replace diesel as an interim solution (>300 tCO₂e saving).
• Machinery and vehicle fleet decarbonisation including EV forklifts (50 tCO₂e saving) and installation of EV charging points.
• Installation of an electric hotbox to replace the gas hotbox at the depot to keep asphalt warm (5 tCO₂e saving over three months).
• Use of a dragon patcherwhich runs on HVO for pothole repairs (113 tCO₂e saving).
• Use of recycled materials and aggregates (20 tCO₂e saving).

Cllr Dominic Muns, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “Wiltshire Council is leading the way in decarbonisation and is on track to meet its 2030 pledge in relation to its direct emissions. This contract is an example of the significant work we’re doing to reduce our indirect (Scope 3) emissions, with procurement spend being the largest contributor to our indirect emissions.

“It’s fantastic to be recognised for this new approach to procurement in collaboration with Milestone. It demonstrates our determination to find innovative ways to deliver high quality services while protecting the climate.”

Milestone Infrastructure Business Director, Anne Roberts, said: “We are delighted that our work with Wiltshire Council on carbon reduction has been recognised through the Edie award nomination. Decarbonisation has been built into the Milestone contract from the outset, and we are pleased to be able to use our knowledge, skills, and innovative approaches to assist the council in reaching their strong climate targets.”

Find out more about the significant work undertaken so far to meet the council’s carbon neutral by 2030 pledge at Wiltshire Council shares update on progress so far towards carbon neutral

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