More than 50 organisations sign joint statement calling for urgent action on transport as extreme heat exposes Britain's climate vulnerability
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A multi-sector coalition of more than 50 organisations representing
public transport, walking, cycling, shared transport, climate,
clean air, health, communities, equalities, workers and local
economies is calling on the Government to act urgently on transport
in response to the climate emergency. In a joint statement,
the organisations say: "This summer's heatwaves and wildfires
are immediate, real-world manifestations of the climate emergency.
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A multi-sector coalition of more than 50 organisations representing public transport, walking, cycling, shared transport, climate, clean air, health, communities, equalities, workers and local economies is calling on the Government to act urgently on transport in response to the climate emergency. In a joint statement, the organisations say: "This summer's heatwaves and wildfires are immediate, real-world manifestations of the climate emergency. The need for action is urgent. Transport is responsible for more carbon emissions than any other sector, so we call on the Government to fulfil the commitment it made in opposition and set a national trajectory for delivering a sustained modal shift in line with the sustainable transport hierarchy, increasing the proportion of journeys made by public transport, shared transport, walking, wheeling and cycling, alongside its commitment to a rail freight growth target. With the majority of journeys under five miles, this will benefit local communities, making it easier for people to get to shops, schools, health services and see friends and family. The climate emergency is also a health emergency, so this will ease pressure on the NHS, save money for the public purse and enable happier, healthier communities. Meanwhile, Government must resist calls to delay the transition to electric vehicles, and take action to improve the resilience of transport networks to extreme weather." The joint statement has been made by: Campaign for Better Transport, Ashden Climate Solutions, Asthma + Lung UK, ASLEF, Aviation Environment Federation, Better Buses for West Yorkshire, Better Streets for Birmingham CIC, Bristol Airport Action Network, Bus Users UK, Campaign Against Climate Change, Campaign for National Parks, Campaign to Electrify Britain's Railways, Campaign to Protect Rural England, Clear the Air in Havering, Clean Cities, ClientEarth, Climate Catalyst, Climate Emergency UK, Climate Outreach, Community Rail Network, Community Transport Association, CoMoUK, Cycling UK, Freewheeling, Global Action Plan, Good Journey, Green Alliance, Greener Vision, Havering Climate Coalition, Healthy Air Coalition, JFG Comms, Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change, Liftshare.com, Living Streets, London Cycling Campaign, Manchester Friends of the Earth, Mobilityways, Mums for Lungs, New Economics Foundation, No Airport Expansion, Partnership for Active Travel, Transport and Health, Possible, Rail Forum, Rail Freight Group, RMT, Royal College of Physicians, Safe Landing, T&E, Transport Action Network, Transport and Health Science Group, UK100, UK Health Alliance on Climate Change, University of Bath, University of Leeds, Walk Wheel and Cycle Trust, Women in Mobility, Women in Transport and Young Mobility Network UG. Ben Plowden, Chief Executive of Campaign for Better Transport, said: "That such a range of organisations have come together to make this statement shows the urgent need for stronger action in response to the climate emergency which has had such a devastating impact on communities across the country this summer. The heatwaves and wildfires, the harm to people, nature and infrastructure, are just a taste of things to come if we do not act urgently. The good news is that we know how to encourage a shift to low-carbon transport and we have the technology to do it. That shift will also have many other benefits, reducing the cost of living, increasing people's access to opportunities, improving public health and boosting local economies." Professor Mumtaz Patel, President of the Royal College of Physicians, said: "Air pollutionisone of the most significant environmental threats to health in the UK. For many patients, the consequences of poor air quality are not abstract environmental harms but worsening symptoms, hospitaladmissionsand a reduced quality of life.Not only does air pollution create and worsen illness,but it alsoplaces huge avoidabledemand on our already stretched health service. "Without urgent action to reduce emissions across all sectors, including transport, these impacts will become more severe and more costly.Governmentmust invest in cleaner, healthier ways to travel, alongside continued efforts todecarbonisevehicles, if it is to protect the health of current and futuregenerations." Lydia Horbury, CEO of Bus Users UK, said: Climate action must also mean making public and active transport a reliable and attractive choice for everyone. For many people, particularly those who do not drive, public transport is essential to everyday life. As extreme weather becomes more frequent, we need transport networks that are not only helping to reduce emissions but are resilient enough to keep people moving when they need them most. Professor Greg Marsden, Director INFUZE, University of Leeds, said: Action on reducing carbon emissions through mode shift delivers benefits across communities. This is a major opportunity to rethink place-making and build more resilient neighbourhoods, better equipped to manage the increasing extremes of our changing climate. Jo Field OBE, Chair of Women in Transport, said: Women are often disproportionately affected by both the impacts of climate change and inadequate access to public transport. They are more likely to make complex journeys involving caring responsibilities, to depend upon public transport and walking, and to experience isolation and lack of access to employment and opportunities when transport is unavailable. As extreme weather becomes more frequent, these inequalities risk becoming even more pronounced. Tackling the climate emergency therefore means ensuring that everyone can access sustainable transport, creating healthier, more connected communities where everyone can participate and thrive. Anna Krajinska, UK Director, T&E, said: The UK is baking, and the warning signs couldn't be clearer. The Government should be hitting the accelerator on cutting transport emissions, not the brakes. Crucially, that means accelerating the transition to EVs, not slowing it down. It's good for consumers' pockets, good for our energy security, and essential for the climate. The statement has been signed by:
Ben Plowden, CEO, Campaign for Better Transport ENDS Notes to Editors In 2025, domestic transport sector emissions increased by two per cent (3 MtCO2e), largely due to increased petrol and diesel use in road transport. Thirty-one per cent of net greenhouse gas emissions in the UK were from domestic transport. Twenty-two per cent of emissions were from the buildings and product uses sector, 13 per cent were from agriculture, 11 per cent from industry, ten per cent from electricity supply, seven per cent from fuel supply, six per cent from waste and 0.1 per cent of emissions were from land use, land use change and forestry. France aims for a 31 per cent reduction in transport emissions by 2030, alongside a 25 per cent increase in public transport, doubling rail freight and major expansion of cycling. Source: https://www.lemonde.fr/en/environment/article/2024/11/05/transport-housing-food-energy-government-sets-new-targets-for-reducing-france-s-greenhouse-gas-emissions_6731637_114.html Norway has had a national Zero-Growth Goal for passenger transport in its major urban areas since 2012/13. All growth in passenger transport should be absorbed by public transport, walking and cycling, rather than by additional car traffic. Source: https://www.regjeringen.no/contentassets/117831ad96524b9b9eaadf72d88d3704/en-gb/pdfs/stm202020210020000engpdfs.pdf |