A new practical guide has been launched to help local highway authorities reduce carbon while saving money and time.

The Little Book of Live Labs 2, unveiled at Highways UK, brings together key lessons, evidence and tools from the Department for Transport-funded ADEPT Live Labs 2 programme. It is intended to help authorities adopt approaches already tested on local roads rather than starting from scratch.

The publication argues that lower-carbon delivery does not necessarily cost more. Instead, considering carbon alongside cost, time and performance can help highway authorities work more efficiently and strengthen the resilience of local road networks.

Over three years, seven local authority-led projects have worked with commercial and academic partners across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Their work spans four connected themes and examines how roads can be planned and maintained with carbon considered alongside established measures of cost, time and performance.

The programme reports savings in street lighting, materials and maintenance. It has also reduced inspection workloads and repeat visits, while demonstrating how a different approach to major works can shorten construction programmes.

The guide presents 10 ideas that authorities can use now, covering areas including procurement, carbon budgeting, street lighting and verge management. These are supported by a portfolio of tested products, materials and techniques that can be adapted to local circumstances.

Alongside practical examples, the book sets out calls to action for local highway authorities and the wider sector. These focus on the system changes needed to make successful innovation part of routine practice.

Recommendations for government are expected in the programme’s final report to the Department for Transport in spring 2027.

ADEPT Live Labs 2: Decarbonising Local Roads is a four-year, UK-wide programme funded by the Department for Transport. It runs until March 2027, with a five-year monitoring and evaluation period.

Read The Little Book of Live Labs 2: adeptnet.org.uk/documents/little-book-live-labs-2