January 2024
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This conference focused on priorities for reducing emissions within London’s transport system.
It brought stakeholders together with policymakers to examine initiatives aimed at achieving the 2030 net zero goals put forward by the Mayor of London, and implications for public and private transport users, London boroughs, businesses, efficiency of networks, and public health and the environment.
Delegates assessed the future of schemes such as ULEZ and LEZ, strategies for encouraging Londoners to adopt eco-friendly transport modes, including public transport, EVs, micromobility and active travel, and priorities for decarbonising London’s wider multi-modal transport network within the context of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy.
There was discussion on what will be needed to enable implementation, including investment, infrastructure priorities, coordination between stakeholders, and public information. Delegates considered opportunities for innovation in transport technology, charging infrastructure and energy production and storage, planning and zoning, flexible working, encouraging behavioural change and how these will be used to future-proof London’s transport network.
The agenda also looked at how potential negative impacts of decarbonisation policies can be mitigated, and priorities for achieving a just transition to a decarbonised transport system.
Further sessions discussed strategies for maximising the benefits of transport decarbonisation, public messaging, guidance for businesses, and regulatory frameworks and enforcement.
We are pleased to have been able to include keynote sessions with: Lilli Matson, Chief Safety, Health and Environment Officer, Transport for London; Cllr Kieron Williams, Executive Member, Transport, Environment and Climate Change, London Councils; and Leader, Southwark Council; Stephen Frost, Principal Research Fellow and Co-Head of Participative Research, Institute for Public Policy Research; and Josh Cottell, Head of Research, Centre for London.
Overall, areas for discussion included:
- policy: examining the Mayor of London’s objective of achieving net zero by 2030 and the implementation of policy priorities in order to achieve this
- resilience and adaptability: priorities for future-proofing London’s transport network beyond decarbonisation - creating a resilient, integrated system that can adapt to challenges of an extreme climate
- ULEZ and LEZ schemes:
- tackling key challenges with implementation - capitalising on their contribution to decarbonisation targets - accounting for and addressing stakeholder concerns
- options for how stakeholder concerns can be mitigated to ensure effective delivery of road-user charging schemes
- EV charging infrastructure: tackling challenges of interoperability, pedestrian safety and cost - investment infrastructure for both private and public use
- energy production and storage: procurement priorities for decarbonising energy supply within London’s transport sector, in response to the Procurement Act 2023 and the Energy Act 2023
- just transition:
- assessing strategic options for mitigating negative impacts on communities and businesses associated with decarbonisation policies
- communication priorities for different stakeholders to ensure policy collaboration across different sectors
- innovation: adopting smart transport systems - introducing traffic-free zones - strategic use of data for traffic and routing - integrating UAVs and drones for smarter traffic management
- reducing air pollution: research priorities - considering the regulatory framework needed for tackling particulate matter and other pollutants that encourages innovation - minimising adverse health impacts
- alternative transport modes: next steps for growing the electric bus and taxi fleet - decarbonising rail - bike and scooter schemes - promoting affordability of public transport and accessibility
- active travel:
- strategic planning and finance - improving infrastructure for pedestrians and runners, cycling and wheeling
- encouraging behavioural change - considering safety and road usability for vehicles - practicalities of incorporating active travel into London’s multi-modal transport system
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who attended from DBT; Defra; DESNZ; DFI; DfT; HM Treasury; Homes England; House of Commons Library; HSE; MCA; OPSS; and UKIB.
