How can data help transport & mobility move to Net Zero?

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the transport and mobility sector are increasing, despite global agreements to reach net zero emissions by 2050. In 2022, global CO2 emissions from transport grew by more than 250 Megatonnes, reaching 8 Gigatonnes in total. https://www.iea.org/energy-system/transport

The sector therefore has the responsibility to decarbonise, quickly.
(And like all good transport analogies, this transition needs a roadmap.).

Unfortunately, the transport and mobility sector’s roadmap to reach net zero emissions by 2050 isn’t an easy one. It will involve a major transformation of the way move people and goods. It will require a shift to cleaner fuels, more efficient vehicles, and a greater focus on public transportation and other sustainable modes of transport.

But this cannot happen without data (or put more frankly… no data, no decarbonisation).
Data can play a critical role in the transition to net zero transport in a number of ways, including:

• Operations: Using data to optimize transport providers’ routes and therefore reducing fuel consumption. For example, planning delivery routes in a way that minimizes the distance travelled.

• Operations: Using data to develop new technologies for decarbonizing the transport sector. For example, to develop new battery chemistries that could make electric vehicles more affordable and efficient.
• Change user behaviour: Using data to developing policies that discourage the use of high CO2 emitting modes of transport.
• Change user behaviour: Using data to incentivise the use of low-carbon transport options.

Sharing data can further help with the transition to Net Zero for the sector by both:

1. Making it easier for different authorities to collect, analyse, and share (anonymised user) data
2. Allowing users to securely share the multiple sources of information that they have in their individual transport accounts, to help them plan and use less co2

If you would like to join or know more about the work of the Open Transport Initiative please contact us: 
contact@opentransport.co.uk