{"id":6558,"date":"2026-06-02T11:40:44","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T11:40:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/glowblogs\/academy9\/?p=6558"},"modified":"2026-06-02T11:40:45","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T11:40:45","slug":"managing-carbon-on-the-a9-how-road-projects-can-be-eco-friendly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/glowblogs\/academy9\/2026\/06\/02\/managing-carbon-on-the-a9-how-road-projects-can-be-eco-friendly\/","title":{"rendered":"Managing Carbon on the A9: How Road Projects\u00a0Can be Eco-Friendly\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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If you travel along the A9 in Scotland,\u00a0you\u2019ll\u00a0see mountains, forests and\u00a0wide open\u00a0spaces.\u00a0But did you know that a lot of planning goes into improving the road while protecting nature?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A big part of this is called carbon management. This means keeping track of how much carbon\u00a0(also known as CO2<\/sub>)\u00a0a\u00a0project creates and finding ways to reduce it.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What Does Carbon Mean for Road Projects?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Common carbon sources in roads construction<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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When a road is built or improved, lots of machines\u00a0and materials\u00a0are used. Diggers move\u00a0soil,\u00a0trucks carry materials, and workers use things like concrete and asphalt. All of this\u00a0needs\u00a0energy, and using energy creates carbon emissions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These emissions can harm our planet by warming the climate.\u00a0That\u2019s\u00a0why teams\u00a0working on the A9 try to do their jobs while creating as little carbon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0One of the best ways to reduce\u00a0carbon\u00a0is to reuse materials or use \u201clow carbon\u201d materials. On the A9, teams often reuse parts of the old road instead of bringing in new materials.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

This means:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • less waste <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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    • less energy used to make new materials <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      When new materials are needed, they try to choose ones that create less carbon when they are made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      Planning with Nature in Mind<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Before any building starts,\u00a0people carefully\u00a0study\u00a0the area.\u00a0They look at the land, the materials they will use, and the machines they will need.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      Then people called \u201cCarbon Consultants\u201d use special tools to work out how much carbon the project might create. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Once they know this, they try to lower it. For example, they: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      • choose better materials <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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        • get supplies from nearby <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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          • protect the natural environment <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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            A9 Dualling Carbon Consultant, Abbi Gilmour, on her Graduation Day<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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            Reducing Travel on Site<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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            Earthworks taking place at Tomatin to Moy section on A9 Dualling project in May 2026<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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            Moving heavy\u00a0materials\u00a0long distances uses a lot of fuel.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            To reduce this, teams try to use materials from nearby. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            This is called sourcing locally.\u00a0For example, if stone or soil can be taken from the site itself, there is no need to transport it from far away.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            This helps lower carbon emissions and saves time too!\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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            Protecting Nature Along the Route<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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            The A9 passes through areas full of wildlife, including forests and peatland.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Peatland is\u00a0very important\u00a0because it stores\u00a0large amounts\u00a0of carbon underground. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            If it is\u00a0damaged, that\u00a0carbon is released into the air.\u00a0To prevent this, the project:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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            • avoids\u00a0these\u00a0areas\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • restores habitats\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • plants new trees and plants <\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • protects animals and water systems\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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              Example of a Peatland area in Scotland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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              Building for the Future<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Carbon management doesn\u2019t stop when the road is finished. If a road lasts longer and needs fewer repairs, it creates less carbon over time. That\u2019s why we design roads to be strong and long-lasting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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              Why This Work Matters<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

              The A9 is an important road for travel, tourism and everyday life in Scotland. By managing carbon, the project helps protect the beautiful landscapes around it and reduces harm to the planet. It shows that we can build important things while still caring for the environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

               And who knows? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

               Young people learning about carbon today might grow up to design greener roads in the future! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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              Pupils present their sustainable road designs at the Academy Sustainable Solutions Challenge final in May 2025.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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