The UK is hosting the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow on 31 October – 12 November 2021.
The COP26 summit is bringing parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Transport emits around one-quarter of the energy-related CO2 that feeds global warming. It remains more than 90% dependent on fossil fuels. With a rapidly growing demand for moving people and goods, transport emissions are set to keep rising even if all currently planned decarbonisation measures are fully implemented.
The UK has published the Transport Decarbonisation Plan (TDP) in July 2021 which is a significant step. The plan sets out the government’s commitments and the actions needed to decarbonise the entire transport system in the UK to achieve net-zero target by 2050. Overarching strategic priorities set out in the plan include accelerating modal shift to public and active transport – making these the ‘natural first choice’ for daily journeys – as well as decarbonising road transport and logistics, and focusing on ‘place based solutions’ to emissions reduction.
It includes:
The pathway to net zero transport in the UK
The wider benefits net zero transport can deliver
The principles that underpin our approach to delivering net zero transport
It also pledges to publish a ‘Local Authority Toolkit’ this year providing guidance to support local areas to deliver more sustainable transport measures. The government has also published a Rail Environment Strategy, which sets the direction for achieving a fully zero emission rail network by 2050.
However, Transport Decarbonisation Plan (TDP) is just the start. The transition to zero-carbon vehicles and a modal shift to active travel and public transport are critical if the country is to deliver on its legally-binding 2050 net-zero target.
While active travel and public transport are prioritised before any other modes in the TDP, with the government wanting them to become the “natural first choice”, details on them are fairly light and contain no new policies or funding. The second Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy, due out later this year, presents an opportunity for the government to outline its ambition further. The role of regional and local government in delivering international and the UK national climate ambitions is also paramount. Councils want to work as partners with Government to tackle climate change.
In brief, if we are to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and meet the UK’s net zero target by 2050, decarbonisation must happen in every place across the country and this will require local leadership to deliver active travel schemes which encourage mode shift, and to deliver those schemes right skills with tools to appraise the scheme benefits will necessary.
Zeenara Najam
i-Select Consultancy