The Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport (ADEPT) funds local highway authorities to measure and identify how to reduce their carbon emissions.
The Carbon Leadership Programme, supported by the Department for Transport, has been developed by Proving Services in partnership with ADEPT and aims to support local highway authorities in implementing practical carbon reduction measures.
Described as a ‘first-of-its-kind’ programme, ADEPT says it provides a standardised way for councils to calculate the amount of carbon emitted from local road maintenance activities and where to direct efforts to reduce this carbon footprint.
Available from June 2025, the Carbon Leadership Programme consists of two modules: a baseline carbon assessment and a best practice carbon assessment module. The aim is to enable all local highway authorities across England to participate.
Commenting on the programme, Angela Jones, ADEPT President, said: “For too long, the sector has lacked the standardised tools needed to accurately measure and tackle carbon emissions from road maintenance activities.
For too long, the sector has lacked the standardised tools needed to accurately measure and tackle carbon emissions from road maintenance activities.
“This programme finally provides that missing piece of the puzzle – giving our members practical, evidence-based methods to understand their carbon footprint and take action to reduce it.”
ADEPT says the programme will empower local highway authorities to develop and implement strategies for carbon reduction.
Additionally, the programme aims to create a knowledge-sharing platform and data resource that will help organisations and partners to learn from each other and accelerate sector-wide carbon reduction efforts.
The Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood, commented: “Smoother roads are our priority, but it’s important we also take steps to reduce carbon emissions.
“We’re supporting ADEPT’s Carbon Leadership Programme to equip local highways authorities with the tools they need to accelerate the sector’s transition to net zero.”
