Adopting a Whole Systems Approach to Transport Decarbonisation, Air Quality and Health: An Online Participatory Systems Mapping Case Study in the UK

Bibliographic Details
Title: Adopting a Whole Systems Approach to Transport Decarbonisation, Air Quality and Health: An Online Participatory Systems Mapping Case Study in the UK
Authors: Alexandra S. Penn, Suzanne E. Bartington, Sarah J. Moller, Ian Hamilton, James G. Levine, Kirstie Hatcher, Nigel Gilbert
Source: Atmosphere, Vol 13, Iss 3, p 492 (2022)
Publisher Information: MDPI AG, 2022.
Publication Year: 2022
Collection: LCC:Meteorology. Climatology
Subject Terms: participatory systems mapping, decarbonisation, air quality, public health, electric vehicle, road transport, Meteorology. Climatology, QC851-999
More Details: 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.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2073-4433
16953630
Relation: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/13/3/492; https://doaj.org/toc/2073-4433
DOI: 10.3390/atmos13030492
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/d169536302ee40ab9d744fa69cea75d6
Accession Number: edsdoj.169536302ee40ab9d744fa69cea75d6
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:20734433
16953630
DOI:10.3390/atmos13030492
Published in:Atmosphere
Language:English