Local and regional climate change research

This research delivered findings and recommendations to the Department for Transport on how authorities in England are acting on climate change and monitoring carbon dioxide emissions as part of the delivery of local and regional transport services, as they prepare for their third round of local transport plans. The research investigated the existing goals and public commitments signed up to, and how local and regional partners perceive transport as contributing to these goals; the transport policies and initiatives delivered to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and adapt to climate change; the drivers, challenges and barriers that authorities are facing in tackling carbon dioxide emissions from transport; the tools, guidance and methodologies currently in use to assess the carbon dioxide impact of transport policies; and the coverage, advantages and disadvantages of the monitoring and evaluation methodologies identified. In summary, it was recommended that the Department for Transport should make best use of existing information; improve certain data sources; and consider the creation of a ‘transport carbon tool' for authorities. The research assists in raising awareness of local action on climate change in transport services and further incentivises delivery towards tackling climate change through local transport.