Abstract
Transport infrastructure is central to the United Kingdom’s transition toward net‑zero carbon emissions by 2050. As the transport sector is the country’s largest source of greenhouse gases, reducing whole‑life carbon across planning, construction, operation, and maintenance is essential. This review evaluates key drivers, policy frameworks, digital technologies, and barriers affecting net‑zero delivery in transport infrastructure. National and international commitments, including the Climate Change Act and the Paris Agreement, provide direction for decarbonisation, while technologies such as electric vehicles, hydrogen systems, renewable materials, and climate‑resilient design offer opportunities despite challenges related to cost and infrastructure readiness. Standards like PAS 2080 support carbon management, although gaps remain during operational stages, especially for resource‑constrained local authorities. Digital tools such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), Artificial Intelligence (AI) based decision support, smart grids, and Intelligent Transport Systems, can optimise emissions reduction but require careful management of energy use and data. Persistent barriers highlight the need for an integrated, practical framework spanning all lifecycle stages.