Achieving low carbon and sustainable transport systems in Yorkshire and Humber

The report investigates the feasibility of reducing transport-related CO2 emissions in Yorkshire and Humber using the REAP model. It tests three scenarios: Business as Usual, Step Change, and Accelerated. Findings indicate that while a combination of practical measures (such as Bus Rapid Transit, teleworking, and rail improvements) can flatten emission growth, they are insufficient to meet the theoretical targets of the Stabilising Carbon Trends scenario. Aviation is identified as a major driver of emissions that remains largely outside regional policy control. The report concludes that the scale of investment required for these reductions is unprecedented and likely unaffordable under current funding mechanisms.

• Even with the large-scale implementation of an 'uncompromising suite' of practical transport policy interventions, the region is unlikely to achieve the carbon reduction levels required by the theoretical Stabilising Carbon Trends (SCT) scenario.
• The 'Accelerated' scenario, which implements the majority of measures between 2011 and 2016, succeeds in changing the direction of travel for land transport emissions and flattening their growth, though it still remains above the 2001 baseline.
• Aviation emissions are a critical challenge, as they are projected to more than double per capita between 2001 and 2021, and by 2021 they are expected to account for nearly 40% of emissions under the Accelerated scenario.
• No single transport intervention provides a complete solution; instead, a combination of measures is necessary as each individual intervention delivers a broadly similar level of impact.
• The scale of investment and delivery required for the modelled scenarios is described as unprecedented and unrealistic under current regional funding and resource contexts.
• Stakeholder consultation revealed that 'soft' measures and land use planning are highly acceptable, while road charging mechanisms and rationing personal carbon use are the least acceptable.
• There is a risk of a 'rebound' effect where carbon savings from transport policies are lost because individuals use saved time or money on other carbon-intensive activities, such as air travel.
• Modelled results suggest that existing transport policies are primarily urban-focused, as CO2 emissions per capita in some rural local authorities increased by as much as 16.4% under the Accelerated scenario.

APA

Denton, A., Anforth, E., Revill, M., Haq, G., Cambridge, H., & Barrett, J. (2008). Achieving low carbon and sustainable transport systems in Yorkshire and Humber. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Future/achieving-low-carbon-sustainable-transport-yorkshire-humber.pdf

Chicago

Denton, Amy, Emma Anforth, Martin Revill, Gary Haq, Howard Cambridge, and John Barrett. Achieving low carbon and sustainable transport systems in Yorkshire and Humber. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2008. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Future/achieving-low-carbon-sustainable-transport-yorkshire-humber.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Denton |first1=Amy |last2=Anforth |first2=Emma |last3=Revill |first3=Martin |last4=Haq |first4=Gary |last5=Cambridge |first5=Howard |last6=Barrett |first6=John |title=Achieving low carbon and sustainable transport systems in Yorkshire and Humber |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=18 March 2008 |url=https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Future/achieving-low-carbon-sustainable-transport-yorkshire-humber.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{denton2008achieving, author = {Denton, Amy and Anforth, Emma and Revill, Martin and Haq, Gary and Cambridge, Howard and Barrett, John}, title = {{Achieving low carbon and sustainable transport systems in Yorkshire and Humber}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2008}, month = mar, url = {https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Future/achieving-low-carbon-sustainable-transport-yorkshire-humber.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }