The Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) has signed a joint statement, coordinated by Campaign for Better Transport (CBT) calling on the UK Government to act urgently on transport in response to the climate emergency.

Campaign for Better Transport has gathered together 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. 

A joint statement by the coalition says:

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 full press release from Campaign for Better Transport is available to read here. 

Sue Percy CBE, Chief Executive, CIHT, said:

This summer’s extreme weather has shown why climate action and climate resilience must go hand in hand. The CIHT has recently published operational guides to dealing with climate disruption and is supporting local authorities with knowledge sharing via a new Highways Resilience and Response Forum. However, we need to tackle the root of the problem which is investing in resilient transport networks that can continue to connect people, places and businesses in the face of increasingly extreme weather.

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The statement has been signed by:

Ben Plowden, CEO, Campaign for Better Transport
Ashok Sinha, CEO, Ashden Climate Solutions
Jonathan Blades, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Asthma + Lung UK
Dave Calfe, General Secretary, ASLEF
Tim Johnson, Director, Aviation Environment Federation
Gareth Forest, Campaign Chair, Better Buses for West Yorkshire
Paul Manzotti and Florence Cadge, Co-Chairs, Better Streets for Birmingham CIC
Richard Baxter, Chair, Bristol Airport Action Network
Lydia Horbury, CEO, Bus Users UK
Claire James, Campaigns Coordinator, Campaign Against Climate Change
Dr Rose O’Neill, Chief Executive, Campaign for National Parks
Noel Dolphin, Director, Campaign to Electrify Britain’s Railways
Elli Moody, Campaign to Protect Rural England
Sue Percy CBE, Chief Executive, CIHT
Oliver Lord, UK Director, Clean Cities
Sam Hunter Jones, System Team Lead for Mobility (Europe), ClientEarth
Ruth Kettle-Frisby, Clear the Air in Havering/Havering Climate Coalition
Emma Richardson, Head of Policy & Research, Climate Catalyst
Isaac Beevor, Partnerships Director, Climate Emergency UK
Rachael Orr, CEO, Climate Outreach
Chris Birks, Director of Policy and Communications, Community Rail Network
David Kelly, Head of Policy and Campaigns, Community Transport Association
Richard Dilks, Chief Executive, CoMoUK
Steve Brooks, Director of External Affairs, Cycling UK
Thomas Ableman, Founder, Freewheeling
Larissa Lockwood, Director of Campaigns and Community Action, Global Action Plan
Louise Dando, CEO, Good Journey
Roz Bulleid, Research and Policy Director, Green Alliance
Claire Haigh, Founder & CEO, Greener Vision
Dr Camilla Kingdon, Chair, Healthy Air Coalition
Jo Field OBE, Founder & Chief Executive, JFG Comms, and Chair, Women in Transport
Marina Romanello, Executive Director, Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change
Tanya Braun, Director of External Affairs, Living Streets
Tom Fyans, Chief Executive, London Cycling Campaign
Ali Clabburn, Chair, Mobilityways and Liftshare.com
Jemima Hartshorn, Founder and Director, Mums for Lungs
Danny Sriskandarajah, CEO, New Economics Foundation
Stephen Clarke, Co-Chair, No Airport Expansion
Ruth Gelletlie, Chair, Partnership for Active Travel, Transport and Health
Izzy Romilly, Head of Urban Transformations, Possible
Elaine Clark, Chief Executive, Rail Forum
Maggie Simpson, Director General, Rail Freight Group
Eddie Dempsey, General Secretary, RMT
Professor Mumtaz Patel, President, Royal College of Physicians
Finlay Asher, Co-founder and Think Tank Lead, Safe Landing
Anna Krajinska, UK Director, T&E
Abby Coften, Chief Executive, Transport Action Network
Dr Stephen Watkins, Co-Chair, Transport and Health Science Group
Philip Glanville, Director of Advocacy and Engagement, UK100
Hugh Montgomery OBE, Chair, UK Health Alliance on Climate Change
Pete Dyson, Researcher, University of Bath
Professor Greg Marsden, Director INFUZE, University of Leeds
Paul Twocock, Executive Director, Strategy and Engagement, Walk Wheel and Cycle Trust
Jennie Martin MBE, Organiser, Women in Mobility
Sonya Byers OBE, CEO, Women in Transport
Anna Filby, CEO and Founder, Young Mobility Network UG