Expedite commute times. Protect nature. Reduce footprint and greenhouse gas output. We find out how our ageing train system is being modernised to serve the net zero era.
Environmental responsibility is no longer a peripheral concern for infrastructure contractors; it’s a strategic imperative. In the rail sector, the ability to deliver projects efficiently while preserving biodiversity and reducing carbon emissions is a growing challenge. QTS Group is meeting this challenge by embracing innovation in ecological methodologies and environmental technologies. Through forward-thinking practices and tools, QTS is enhancing both its environmental outcomes and its operational agility.
The industry challenge
Railway projects intersect directly with sensitive habitats, protected species, and landscapes rich in biodiversity. Yet the infrastructure industry has traditionally approached ecology as a compliance task, often resulting in delays, extended licence approvals, and minimal follow-through on environmental gains.
In addition to this, increased targets from Network Rail, who now expect measurable biodiversity net gain and year-on-year carbon reduction. Meeting these demands requires not only expertise, but also the application of efficient, adaptable methods and the right tools to deliver results quickly and effectively.
The QTS approach
QTS has responded by embedding advanced ecological methodologies and modern environmental technologies across its operations. By investing in equipment and processes that support real-time decision-making, streamlined licensing, and long-term ecological improvement, QTS is transforming how environmental risks and opportunities are managed in rail infrastructure projects.
One of the key tools in use is thermal imaging technology, alongside camera traps, which are deployed to monitor protected species such as badgers. These tools provide high-resolution data on animal presence and behaviour, which in turn allows for swift and legally compliant intervention in ecologically sensitive areas where traditional methods could result in costly project delays.
In addition to monitoring tools, QTS uses biodiversity scoring to assess ecological value before and after each project. This structured approach enables the company to track changes in biodiversity levels and demonstrate measurable improvements, aligning closely with Network Rail’s 4% biodiversity net gain target.
To further enhance biodiversity, QTS integrates a variety of ecological enhancements into its projects. These include the planting of wildflower mixes, the creation of habitat piles, and the installation of bumblebee hives. Each intervention is selected based on the specific environmental needs of the site, ensuring that enhancements are locally appropriate and effective in boosting ecological value.
QTS also employs its in-house ecology team to expedite the licensing required for working with protected species. This dedicated team follows established internal protocols to quickly secure the necessary approvals, significantly reducing lead times and ensuring that critical infrastructure works proceed without unnecessary delay. By handling licensing directly, QTS maintains full compliance with environmental legislation while improving responsiveness and project efficiency.
Beyond project-specific ecology, QTS is aligned with broader environmental commitments, including its participation in the Science Based Targets initiative. The company is working towards a 6 per cent reduction in carbon emissions annually, even as it continues to grow. This commitment demonstrates that sustainable best practice can be scaled effectively across infrastructure delivery.
QTS is demonstrating that environmental best practice in infrastructure is not just about compliance – it is about innovation, agility and leadership. By integrating sophisticated ecological methodologies and sustainable technologies into its day-to-day operations, QTS is driving measurable improvements in biodiversity and carbon Reduction. As the rail sector evolves, QTS’s approach proves that sustainability can be embedded not just in policy, but in action.
Andrew Campuzano, Lead Ecologist at QTS Group.
Image: Sam / Unsplash
