Measuring the sustainability impacts of National Highways
As part of developing a sustainability strategy, the Government-owned company National Highways (formerly Highways England) needed to understand and establish a baseline for its total impact on sustainability. Ramboll was appointed to identify and quantify this impact.

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Impact Assessment
The impact assessment encompassed 8,000 km road network, focusing on the most important roads in England as well as supply chains. Our work has formed the basis for National Highways sustainability strategy going forward.
The assessment was organised around the Five Capitals Model of Sustainable Development, which extends the understanding of sustainability to include natural, social, human, economic and built capitals. Where possible, the sustainability impacts were also monetised for a better understanding the performance of National Highways.
The results have not been externally reported, but the project exemplifies a quantified approach to sustainability reporting, which could be applied to any infrastructure client and to a range of other organisations.
The assessment was organised around the Five Capitals Model of Sustainable Development, which extends the understanding of sustainability to include natural, social, human, economic and built capitals. Where possible, the sustainability impacts were also monetised for a better understanding the performance of National Highways.
The results have not been externally reported, but the project exemplifies a quantified approach to sustainability reporting, which could be applied to any infrastructure client and to a range of other organisations.
Sustainability facts
- Establishing a baseline for sustainability impact to inform strategy going forward
- A new quantified approach to sustainability reporting