Decarbonising Transport in the
Race to Net Zero
This year the UK is hosting the 26th annual Conference of the Parties (COP) which is considered the last chance for global leaders to come together and and discuss ways to tackle climate change.
With 27% of excess greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the UK attributed to transport, the government have released a plan with ambitious targets to decarbonise in the race to net zero.
Transport and infrastructure are an essential part of our lifestyles but cleaner methods of travel must be implemented in a bid to reduce the impact of GHG's on the environment and human health.
Percentage of GHG Emissions from transport in the UK (2019)
27%
55.4%
Cars & taxis
Percentage of GHG Emissions by Transport Mode in the UK
(2019)
15.9%
Heavy goods vehicles (HGVs)
15.7%
Light duty vehicles
5%
Domestic shipping
2.5%
Buses & coaches
Source: Department for Transport, 2019
1.4% Rail
1.2% Domestic Aviation
0.4% Motorcycles and mopeds
0.6% Other road transport
1.9% Other transport
The Race to Net Zero for Environmental & Human Health
Excess GHG's in the atmosphere warm up the Earth and cause changing weather patterns that can result in drought, wild fires and flooding; throwing the world off balance. Cutting out the carbon to reduce the effects of global warming not only benefits the environment but also human health by creating cleaner, healthier towns and cities.
Co-benefits of decarbonising include improved air quality through less polluting vehicles, smarter and connected cities, better traffic management and improved road infrastructure. Noise reduction, improved public health and economy growth through new jobs are outlined in government plans as additional benefits of decarbonising.
Road vehicles contribute to ambient air pollution from nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), carbon dioxide (CO2) and fine particle matter (PM1, PM2.5, PM10). Exposure to these pollutants has been known to cause and exacerbate respiratory diseases and been linked to dementia and diabetes.
By Law the UK's Emissions Must be Net Zero by 2050
Over 130 nations have now set net zero targets. The UK aims to achieve these targets through a number of initiatives by investing in active travel, introducing zero emission fleets of cars and vans, decarbonising railways and accelerating maritime and aviation decarbonisation.
UK Decarbonisation Road Map
Rail network is net zero
50% of all journeys in towns & cities cycled or walked
End the sale of all new petrol & diesel cars and vans
All diesel trains to be removed from the network.
Incentivise take up of low carbon traction by rail freight operators
Phasing out sale of new diesel & petrol buses & coaches
UK has world class cycling & walking network
End the sale of all non-zero emission HGVs
Domestic aviation is net zero
All new cars & vans must be 100% zero emission at tailpipe
Maritime sector is net zero
Aviation sector is
net zero
Road vehicles are net zero
2020
2025
2030
2035
2040
2045
2050
Evidence the Effectiveness of Decarbonising with Air Quality Data
Monitoring air quality provides us with real-time data and gives insight into baseline levels of pollution. This allows us to visualise and understand how a town or city lives and breathes and is essential for introducing evidence-based changes. Monitoring can be continued throughout and post intervention to assess the effectiveness of changes and identify whether they are working to clean up the air we breathe.
Using Air Quality Data in the Transport Sector
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Understand how traffic can be re-routed to reduce congestion and emissions
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Automatically turn vehicles to electric mode when pollution hotspots are detected
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Alert the public through Variable Message Signs (VMS) to chose less polluted routes, stop idling in congestion or when it's safer to walk or cycle to school
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Evidence the need and effectiveness of cycle and pedestrian walking lanes in cities
Using Air Quality Data for Local Authorities
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Evidence the need and effectiveness of cycle and pedestrian walking lanes in cities
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Introduce and manage Clean Air Zones (CAZ) and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTN's)
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Assess pollution forecasts in advance of local events and inform residents using bespoke web applications.
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Evidence the need and success of the electrification of bus and coach fleets