Campaign for Better Transport coalition calls for urgent action on sustainable transport

Image credit: Campaign for Better Transport

More than 50 organisations have backed a joint statement coordinated by UKTram partner Campaign for Better Transport, calling for urgent action to increase the use of sustainable transport and improve the resilience of networks in response to climate change.

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 joint statement has been made by: Campaign for Better Transport, Ashden Climate Solutions, Asthma + Lung UK, ASLEF, Aviation Environment Federation, Better Buses for West Yorkshire, Better Streets for Birmingham CIC, Bristol Airport Action Network, Bus Users UK, Campaign Against Climate Change, Campaign for National Parks, Campaign to Electrify Britain’s Railways, Campaign to Protect Rural England, CIHT, Clear the Air in Havering, Clean Cities, ClientEarth, Climate Catalyst, Climate Emergency UK, Climate Outreach, Community Rail Network, Community Transport Association, CoMoUK, Cycling UK, Freewheeling, Global Action Plan, Good Journey, Green Alliance, Greener Vision, Havering Climate Coalition, Healthy Air Coalition, JFG Comms, Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change, Liftshare.com, Living Streets, London Cycling Campaign, Manchester Friends of the Earth, Mobilityways, Mums for Lungs, New Economics Foundation, No Airport Expansion, Partnership for Active Travel, Transport and Health, Possible, Rail Forum, Rail Freight Group, RMT, Royal College of Physicians, Safe Landing, T&E, Transport Action Network, Transport and Health Science Group, UK100, UK Health Alliance on Climate Change, University of Bath, University of Leeds, Walk Wheel and Cycle Trust, Women in Mobility, Women in Transport and Young Mobility Network UG.

Ben Plowden, Chief Executive of Campaign for Better Transport, said the breadth of organisations supporting the statement demonstrates the urgency of stronger action, while highlighting the opportunities presented by a shift towards low-carbon transport, including improved access to opportunities, public health and local economies.

The statement also comes as transport remains a significant contributor to UK emissions. Campaign for Better Transport notes that domestic transport accounted for 31 per cent of net UK greenhouse gas emissions in 2025.

Campaign for Better Transport works to improve access to high-quality, sustainable transport and is a UKTram partner.