Transforming Transport: travelling towards an inclusive, green system

Event Date: Thursday 24th June 2021

caring economydecarbonisationFeminist EconomicsGreen New Dealpublic transportTransporturban planning

Public transport is a central and crucial part of physical infrastructure, yet access to it is often unequal. The built environment accounts for around 40% of the UK’s carbon footprint, with domestic transport responsible for 27% of the UK’s total GHG emissions. It is also a large contributor to air pollution; 34% of nitrogen oxides in the UK result from transport.

To decarbonise transport and democratise the right to safe mobility, our transport systems must be inclusive and sustainable. Current transport systems are designed to optimise peak-hour long ‘radial’ distance journeys into city centres, failing to recognise the different travel needs of those with caring and domestic responsibilities (which are often gendered) that require shorter, more frequent ‘orbital’ journeys.

The absence of robust transport networks, particularly in town and rural areas create a problematic reliance on cars, yet women, BAME people, disabled people and those on lower incomes are less likely to own a car, constraining their ability to participate in public life. Lack of physically accessible public transport for those with mobility issues can often mean the additional economic burden of traveling by taxi.

Perceptions and experiences of safety and accessibility are shaped by identity and have a big influence on the travel choices people make. In this webinar you will hear from several speakers on the current barriers to safe and accessible public transport, and recommendations for how an inclusive and green transport system can be achieved as part of a Feminist Green New Deal.

Speakers include representatives from the National Federation of Women’s Institutes, Mums for Lungs and Tiffany Lam, NEF Consultant and author of WBG policy paper Inclusive and Green Transport.

This webinar marks the launch of the first policy paper Inclusive and Green Transport as part of our Feminist Green New Deal project, in collaboration with the Women’s Environmental Network.