Securing a greener future? Net Zero and the challenge of securing a sustainable transport system

Event details

This event will discuss the challenges and opportunities facing transport policymakers due to the transition to net zero.

Abstract 

Given rapid technological change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the push to reach Net Zero emissions by 2050, the UK transport ecosystem is facing a suite of complex challenges impacting providers, users, and policymakers. Securing a sustainable transition to ‘greener’ forms of mobility is of critical importance, but policymakers are still grappling with the most effective means of achieving this goal.

Using insights obtained from a panel of West Midlands residents, this seminar will examine perceptions of sustainable transport and the challenges that policymakers will need to address if a greener mobility model is to be secured.  These indicate that adoption of sustainable transport modes remains stubbornly low with enduring concerns related to cost and performance. Moreover, additional obstacles have arisen through the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic, with private modes of transport regarded as cleaner and usage of mass-transit impacted negatively across all age groups.

Biographies

Dr Andrew Jones is an Assistant Professor in CBiS and his main research interests are in the field of economic development and transformation. A key component of this work is related to the greening of the economy, assessing the drivers and impacts of the transition to a more sustainable transportation ecosystem. This includes seeking to understand consumer attitudes to new green technologies as well as assessing policy levers that can enhance adoption rates. He has also published in journals such as Journal of Transportation Research Part A and Part D and Journal of Rural Studies.

Throughout his career, Professor David Jarvis has prioritised research that seeks answers to practical real-world questions and challenges, and which promotes meaningful connections and exchanges between academe, policy and practice.  His persistent focus on various dimensions of local and regional economic change is wrought of personal experience of deindustrialisation. Since 2014, David’s principal focus has been on economic change and impact viewed through accessibility and connectivity lenses, including consideration of winners and losers in low carbon socio-technical transitions

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