Abstract
In a drive to achieve net zero emissions, U.K. transport decarbonisation policies are predominantly focussed on measures to promote the uptake and use of electric vehicles (EVs). This is reflected in the COP26 Transport Declaration signed by 38 national governments, alongside city region governments, vehicle manufacturers and investors. However, emerging evidence suggests that EVs present multiple challenges for air quality, mobility and health, including risks from non-exhaust emissions (NEEs) and increasing reliance on vehicles for short trips. Understanding the interconnected links between electric mobility, human health and the environment, including synergies and trade-offs, requires a whole systems approach to transport policymaking. In the present paper, we describe the use of Participatory Systems Mapping (PSM) in which a diverse group of stakeholders collaboratively constructed a causal model of the U.K. surface transport system through a series of interactive online workshops. We present the map and its analysis, with our findings illustrating how unintended consequences of EV-focussed transport policies may have an impact on air quality, human health and important social functions of the transport system. We conclude by considering how online participatory causal modelling techniques could be effectively integrated with empirical metrics to facilitate effective policy design and appraisal in the transport sector.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 492 |
Number of pages | 35 |
Journal | Atmosphere |
Volume | 13 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 18 Mar 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Funding: This research was funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Clean Air Strategic Priorities Fund grant numbers (NE/T001852/1) and (NE/V002449/1). The Centre for Evaluation of Complexity Across the Nexus (CECAN) is supported by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC): (ES/S007024/1).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Keywords
- participatory systems mapping
- decarbonisation
- air quality
- public health
- electric vehicle
- road transport
- public transport
- mobility equity
- non-exhaust emissions
- net zero