2 October 2008, 00:00 -

Moving People, Changing Expectations

The Royal Overseas League, London

David Tarrant, IHT President, welcomed specialists in transport and infrastructure to this well attended conference to celebrate the launch of a document which aims to address the impacts of climate change. Published by IHT, ‘Climate Change & Sustainable Transport – The Challenge for Transport Professionals’ looks to assist those hoping to reduce emissions in the transport sector. The report highlights five key transportation themes: managing demand; changing behaviour; accessibility and social equality; technology and safety; and administration and finance, and sets out what action is being taken to mitigate climate change in each area.

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Jim Fitzpatrick, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, introduced the document. He claimed that the UK is the first country to make a formal commitment to reducing emissions with the Climate Change Bill. The bill sets out a target to reduce emissions by 60% from 1990 levels by 2050 and work such as IHT’s new guidance will, he said, help to achieve the target.

img_brian_hProfessor Brian Hoskins, Reading University, explained the current state of the science behind climate change and that if emissions continue on the current trend there would be temperature rises across the world of between 2.5 and 7°C by the end of this century. Brian stated “it is possible to reduce emissions even further – maybe up to 80%” and illustrated estimates, anomalies and causes of the current imbalance in the energy budget. He illustrated the IPCC 2007 Fourth Assessment Report statement that “Global Warming is unequivocal” with examples of annual sea ice levels, surface melt on Greenland and the impact of anthropomorphic activity. He acknowledged that there are many uncertainties but this should not obscure the imperative for urgent action towards significant mitigation of likely climate change and adapting to changes we cannot avoid. He gave a robust illustration of the uses of modelling and climate change impacts in different sectors such as food and health.

img_richendaDr Richenda Connell, Chief Technical Officer, Acclimatise, presented ‘is climate change a risk issue?’ and warned that “Climate change is not something for the future. It is happening now and we need to adapt and deal with it”. With the “pace of a firm’s adaptation to climate change and related policy is thus likely to prove to be another of the forces that will influence whether, over the next several years, any given firm survives and prospers; or withers and, quite possibly, dies.” She reminded the delegates that these impacts may be valid considerations in credit risk analysis for lending banks, with some insurance companies refusing to insure in vulnerable locations. Considering the effects of climate change as being “reasonably foreseeable at every stage” Dr Connell spoke directly to those delegates acting as professional advisors “to ensure that appropriate steps have been taken” and that this has consequences for all those with legal duties for decision making and those providing advice.

img_ginnyIn the second session, Ginny Clarke, Director of Network Services with the Highways Agency, discussed the ‘Robustness of the UK road asset’ and how the Agency is making the most of the assets we already have. She explained how the Agency is using technology to better manage traffic flows and reduce congestion. Ginny described their Sustainable Development Action Plan which focuses on protecting natural resources, creating sustainable communities, climate change and energy. “We are also trying to lever the supply chain towards more sustainable methods,” said Ms Clarke. “We are all in the same business and need to learn from each other.

img_helenHelen Woolston, Chair of the London Climate Change Partnership Transport Group discussed the ‘impacts on transport network users’. Helen highlighted examples of higher expected peak temperatures and the intensification of ‘urban heat islands’. In using familiar examples of the M5/M50 last year during the July floods, the M1 last year and fears over the Ulley Dam bursting its banks last year, she illustrated the immediacy of potential problems. Helen highlighted the risks to the Thames Gateway development and the further research recommended by TfL to examine the behaviour of passengers in response to higher temperatures. With projects such as ‘Drain London’ there is a call for multiple partners to establish ownership of London’s drains for the first time. The new London Climate Change Adaptation Strategy will be open for public consultation in early 2009.

img_m_parryProfessor Martin Parry, Co-chair of Working Group 2 of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), powerfully described the scale of climate change internationally in his presentation ‘Bali and beyond - setting the international scene’. He said “You think you have problems, they are nothing compared to the whole world. Temperatures and sea levels are rising, levels of snow and ice are falling and emissions are accelerating. We can walk fast into this future or we can slow it down now.”

img_mike_slinnMike Slinn, former IHT President presented the main findings from the IHT report in ‘Where now for Sustainable Transport?’. He suggested that three years ago we would not have been talking about climate change and transport, but Climate change issues have hit us with great ferocity and “we are reeling against the ropes not knowing how to react”. Mike advocated the implementation of policies and measures now.

img_phil_goodwinIn the third session, on ‘emissions’, Professor Phil Goodwin, University of the West of England looked at the ‘Challenges for road transport’. He conceded that, as a profession we have been talking about the same things for years, for different reasons and “actually it’s a pretty good idea to reduce traffic for reasons of social and economic efficiency”. He suggests that we should not throw away everything we have learned about the traffic problem, when we seek to tackle the problem of climate change.

img_holgerHolger Dalkmann, TRL, discussed Carbon calculators, why you would use them, practical applications, and future use. Holger made reference to IPCC policy and how to apply it, as in the advocating of the use of national emission standards and highlighted practical applications such as the Sustainability Management System for the Asphalt Industry. Holger illustrated the many assumptions affecting emissions calculations and how to make accuarate intermodal comparisons.

img_chris_ferraryChris Ferrary, Steer Davies Gleave, looked at some practical solutions for transport emissions and what practical steps can be taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He suggested that both technology and ‘Smarter Choices’ solutions have a role to play and should be complemented by a package of more traditional approaches to transport planning. Chris called for a change in the pace of action and implementation and clear leadership from the Government.
The presentation had been drawn from a paper developing a ’10-Point Action Plan’ and case studies from a range of policy initiatives at regional and city level looking at the different combinations of approaches that are beginning to be developed.

img_tom_macagnoIn the final presentation, Dr Tom Macagno, Head of Sustainability, May Gurney, presented ‘addressing the issues – delivering on the ground’. Dr Macagno started with the basics and a definition of what ‘sustainability’ is following this with an explanation of the development of a ‘build sustainability catalogue’. By mapping the example of the golden bullet in reducing a carbon footprint he tangibly illustrated the impact such carbon reductions could have, and how realistic attainment of these could be. In using an employee survey and developing a personal carbon footprint, it enabled ‘buy in’ from employees.

The IHT would like to thank all those involved in the Conference and those who contributed to the Report.

Climate Change and Sustainable Transport - Executive Summary