Government to reveal next steps to net zero at Smart Transport Conference

Trudy Harrison MP,  parliamentary under secretary of state at the Department for Transport (DfT), will provide the next steps on the path to net zero as part of a special plenary theatre session at this month’s Smart Transport Conference.

The one day event has the theme of “connecting policy to solutions” and is being held at etc.venues County Hall, London on November 30. 

The content packed conference features 30 industry expert speakers from across public and private sectors and will be the first major in-person gathering for transport and mobility personnel following the recent COP26 climate conference in Glasgow.

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As the UK’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, the transport sector has a fundamental role to play in achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

Harrison was appointed to the DfT in September 2021 and her session will give an overview of Government policy and next steps, including any implications from commitments agreed at COP26.

She has a background in working in renewable energy and sustainable community projects.

The Government confirmed at COP26 that all new heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) weighing 26 tonnes and under must be zero emissions by 2035, with all HGVs zero emissions by 2040.

This means all new road vehicles in the UK will be zero emission within the next two decades.

The Government has previously announced that it would end the sale of petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2030.

Another key topic for discussion during Harrison’s session will be the Government’s plan to introduce a new zero emission vehicle mandate that will set targets for a percentage of manufacturers’ new car and van sales to be zero emission each year from 2024.

The ZEV mandate was revealed as part of the Government’s long awaited Net Zero Strategy.

High profile plenary speakers confirmed

Harrison's session is just part of the packed schedule for the day, which includes other high profile plenary speakers including: 

• Lord Deben, chairman, Climate Change Committee on whether the UK is taking action quickly enough to meet its climate commitments.
• Polly Billington, director, UK100 on what COP26 will do for transport in UK cities.
• Nik Johnson, mayor, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority on how the combined authority’s new transport plan will prioritise ‘left behind’ communities, tackle inequalities and accelerate carbon reduction.
• Louise Mothersole, Horizon Europe UK national contact point for mobility and global innovation lead for transport, Innovate UK on what transport might look like in 2050.

There will also be eight breakout session on key industry topics with representatives from the Department for Transport, combined authorities and senior leaders from the private sector discussing challenges and solutions.

The topics are:

• Decarbonising freight and logistics: solutions for today and tomorrow
• Funding requirements for a viable local transport plan
• E-scooters: a micromobility solution?
• Building a fit for purpose charging infrastructure
• Travel planning for changing commuting, business and leisure habits
• Technology and innovation
• Winning public hearts and minds for low carbon urban travel choices
• The evolution of vehicles and roads as a zero-emission solution

Full conference agenda.

Speaker and chair line-up to date.

Smart Transport would like to thank its headline strategic partners for their support with this event including ABB, CNG Fuels, Daf Trucks, Enterprise, FedEx Express, Geotab, Ginger, Liberty Global, Macquarie, Padam Mobility, Renault and Worldline.