Transport is the biggest emitter by sector in the UK, and accounts for over one fifth of emissions globally. Therefore, you’d be right to think that there would be a significant focus on transport at the largest annual climate summit that is attended by world political and industry leaders, perhaps even a dedicated day?

This year’s COP summit in Sharm El Sheikh had an agenda that featured no dedicated transport day, and instead sustainable transport was one of many discussion points on “Solutions Day” held on 17 November. This is in contrast with last years COP 26 summit in Glasgow, where a dedicated transport day did feature but focused largely on electric vehicles (EVs); with active travel and public transport being last minute additions.

This pattern of misjudgment on the role that transport plays, in particular active travel and public transport, in the achievement of net zero should not go unnoticed. The Secretary General of the UN’s sustainable, low carbon transport (SLOCAT) group. A report from the SLOCAT group on last years conference said that the commitments that were launched at COP 26 had a noticeable lack of emphasis on the critical role that public transport, and active travel plays in the decarbonisation of transport.

The discussions on transport held at COP need to recognise the importance that multi-modal transport systems play in the achievement of net zero. This needs to have a place on the global stage, and the failure to do so at this year’s climate summit is a clear misstep. While there has been significant progress by the Highways and Transportation sector to significantly reduce its environmental degradation, much more needs to be done to encourage the uptake of alternative modes (active travel and public transport). Governments and organisations around the globe must realise that investment in EVs alone will not decarbonise transportation, with public transport and active travel needing significant investment to not only decarbonise transport, but to make it more accessible and a natural first choice for all.