On World Environment Day, HS2's CEO has called the controversial railway line "the biggest environment project in Britain" and urged green groups to get behind the work.

Mark Thurston said on Friday (June 5) that HS2's aim is to be the most "sustainable high speed railway in the world" that will have "countless benefits for our natural world".

He added that green groups should support HS2 because it is delivering "many miles of ecological and landscape investments" - even though many campaigners and organisations have criticised the project.

ALSO READ: 'We must stop HS2 - for all life on earth': Chris Packham files legal challenge

TV star and environmentalist Chris Packham, who filed a legal challenge against HS2, previously said the new railway line will cause irreversible and irreparable loss of designated ancient woodlands and disturb European Protected Species and nesting birds.

Mr Thurston said: "Our ambition at HS2 is to design and build the most sustainable high-speed railway in the world, so that we can play our part in helping the UK to tackle climate change, improve air quality and reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

“But it is just as important for us at HS2 that we protect the natural environment and leave behind richer, more diverse and better-connected landscapes and wildlife habitats.

ALSO READ: Outrage over naming of HS2 machines

"We have some of the UK’s most experienced and leading ecological consultants working with us on what is the biggest environment project in Britain.

"So on World Environment Day 2020, I’d like to urge all environmental groups to get behind a project that will have countless benefits for our natural world, now and in the future.”

On World Environment Day, which aims to encourage awareness and protection of our environment, HS2 has also released a list of 12 facts and figures about how they are helping the natural world along the route:

  • 60 new wildlife habitats between Hillingdon and North Warwickshire - including grassland, ponds and native tree and shrub planting
  • Up to seven million trees planted on phase one - over 350,000 have already been planted
  • More than 33 square kilometres of new woodland and wildlife habitat created
  • HS2 is undertaking "one of the largest ecological surveys in the UK"
  • Some of the UK's leading ecological consultants are working with them on the project
  • A £7 million woodland fund for new and existing woodlands
  • Eighty-five per cent of the 62 ancient woodlands affected by HS2 to remain untouched
  • Over 39,000 biodegradable tree guards on new habitat sites
  • New homes for barn owls to be created
  • Salvaging woodland souls to new sites to create habitats for flora and fauna
  • Grown 40 pear tree saplings from a veteran pear tree in Warwickshire
  • New green bridges for wildlife