ADEPT Live Labs 2 launches highways decarbonisation stakeholder pledge at Westminster
A new pledge has been launched by the ADEPT Live Labs 2 programme that invites stakeholders to drive meaningful decarbonisation across all aspects of the UK’s road network and rethink how the highways infrastructure reduces carbon.
The pledge was launched by ADEPT on 23rd April 2025 at the Live Labs 2 Westminster stakeholder event, sponsored by Claire Young MP and featuring DfT Minister Lilian Greenwood MP, which initiated high level, critical debate about decarbonising all aspects of highways infrastructure.
Now, ADEPT is inviting other highways stakeholders – from local authorities through to industry partners - to sign the pledge. Those in a position to champion innovation, collaboration and evidence-based decision making can support the pledge, committing to transform local highways towards a low carbon future and make carbon reduction 'Business As Usual'.
As the Live Labs 2 programme enters its third and final year, the stakeholder event was a critical opportunity for ADEPT to unite the industry in accelerating decarbonisation: the purpose being to move from discussion to actionable commitments, with the aim and the potential to shape long term transformation.
The guest speakers were representative of industry and the Live Labs 2 programme:
- Claire Young MP was the event sponsor and is Liberal Democrat for Thornberry and Yate and Member of Select Committee on Energy Security and Net Zero 2024.
- Lilian Greenwood MP is Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Future of Roads, Department for Transport.
- Neil Gibson is Chair of the ADEPT Live Labs 2 Commissioning Board (consisting of leaders from across the sector) and Past President of ADEPT.
- Mark Corbin is Director of Network Resilience at Transport for West Midlands and represented the seven Live Labs 2 projects.
- Rachel Skinner CBE is an Executive Director at WSP and represented the Live Labs 2 Commissioning Board.
ADEPT Live Labs 2: Decarbonising Local Roads in the UK is a three-year, UK-wide £30 million programme funded by the Department for Transport that aims to decarbonise the local highway network.
Neil Gibson, Chair of the Live Labs 2 Commissioning Board, said: “The ADEPT Live Labs 2 pledge is not just a statement of intent, but a commitment to action. It is aimed at the organisations, practitioners and delivery partners who can implement real change. While recognising the invaluable role of policymakers and funders, this document is focused on those actively shaping the low carbon local highways of the future.
“By signing the pledge we demonstrate our collective resolve to champion the principles of Live Labs 2 and lay the groundwork for the continued evolution of sustainable highways and infrastructure.”
The Live Labs 2 Commissioning Board, which steers the programme, appointed behaviour insights experts BIT to undertake a study to understand this landscape and make recommendations to enable change across the highways sector to enable the rapid and widespread acceleration of asset decarbonisation. The BIT report which can be read in full here concluded that there is no ‘quick fix,’ emphasising that time, investment and commitment from various organisations are required for a low carbon, transport future.
To sign the pledge and find out more, visit: www.adeptnet.org.uk/industry-decarbonisation-pledge
