The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), a leading UK think-tank, is committed to building a fairer, greener society through transformative policy research and advocacy. IPPR’s influential Fair Transition Unit, continues the work of its cross-party Environmental Justice Commission, addressing deep-rooted environmental and social inequities in current transport systems.

According to the European Environment Agency, transport accounts for nearly 30% of the EU’s CO₂ emissions, with 72% stemming from road transport. Despite this, the UK, like many European countries relies heavily on technological fixes like electric vehicles, rather than addressing systemic issues and providing truly sustainable and equitable solutions.

In alignment with the Foundation’s Climate and Ocean programme, we awarded a grant of £20,000 in 2023 to support critical public polling and research. This paved the way for a progressive public engagement and advocacy strategy. The resulting reports, Who Gets a Good Deal? and Moving Together, reveal strong public support for sustainable transport and used analytical models to understand how different groups can decarbonise in just and fair ways. Lorraine Whitmarsh, Professor at the University of Bath and Director of the Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations, described the data as “the most detailed evidence on public attitudes to sustainable travel options in recent years.”

The findings underscore the importance of transparent, community-driven dialogue in building a fairer, greener transport system. The reports have already begun informing transport policy discussions in Wales and have sparked renewed optimism among stakeholders about the potential for inclusive progress toward net-zero goals.

Recognising the significant impact of this work, we have committed an additional £120,000 to IPPR over the next two years to further advance its community-focused research and policy development. This funding will bolster IPPR’s capacity to host deliberative workshops and place-based focus groups across the UK, capturing a wide spectrum of public opinion on transport decarbonisation. Working closely with experts such as Climate Outreach, More in Common, and the Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformation (CAST), IPPR will develop policy recommendations that reflect diverse community needs and values. These insights will inform a detailed policy pathway, supported by technical modelling from Element Energy, enabling IPPR to propose actionable solutions that influence the UK government’s climate and transport agenda.

NHS workers in Sheffield using e-bikes for offsite visits. Photo by Alastair Johnstone / Climate Visuals

Through ongoing public engagement and advocacy, IPPR is fostering a sustainable shift in transport behaviours and policy. By supporting local authorities in implementing equitable transport solutions, its work is contributing to a future where low-carbon transport systems are more accessible, inclusive and aligned with the needs of local communities

Our partnership with IPPR’s Fair Transition Unit not only reinforces our commitment to a sustainable future but also champions a model of climate policy rooted in fairness and inclusivity.