THURSDAY 29 JANUARY 2026
COUNCIL HOUSE, VICTORIA SQUARE, BIRMINGHAM
DELIVERING SOLUTIONS ACROSS THE SURFACE TRANSPORT NETWORK
Headline Sponsor:
The UK government aims to achieve net zero in transport across all sectors by 2050, driven by the 2021 Transport Decarbonisation Plan (TDP) and a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, with vans following in 2035.
Pathways to Net Zero: Transport Planning in Action will feature keynotes, case studies and expert panels to showcase the ways in which the surface transport network is changing to meet these critical targets.
A COMPLEX SYSTEMS CHALLENGE
Achieving a net zero surface transport network by 2050 involves a comprehensive, system-wide strategy. Key actions include accelerating the shift to zero-emission vehicles such as electric cars and hydrogen-powered heavy goods vehicles, rapidly expanding charging infrastructure, delivering an integrated transport strategy, improving public transport and encouraging active travel.
These actions need to be supported by initiatives to influence public attitudes to travel – making it safe, easy and convenient to switch to non-private car modes, enabling a shift away from road expansion and a reduction traffic growth.
Solutions that focus on technology and electric vehicles have a critical role to play, but focusing solely on EVs underestimates the impact other transport related interventions can have.
Diversifying options can help the UK to develop an optimised path to net zero – identifying approaches to transport decarbonisation that reduce more emissions while also delivering positive transport, health and social outcomes.
THE CHALLENGE OF GROWTH
Achieving a net zero transport network will be challenging in a policy environment defined by growth. Transport decarbonisation is poorly aligned with the forthcoming Road Investment Strategy (RIS3), which proposes a £25 billion spending budget for the Strategic Road Network (SRN) between April 2026 and March 2031.
According to National Highways, a net zero Britain will still travel by road in 2050. National Highways own decarbonisation plan, outlined in the 2021 Net zero highways strategy, aims to achieve net zero for its own operations by 2030, net zero for construction and maintenance by 2040, and net zero carbon emissions from road users by 2050.
A continued reliance on roads for freight and for much transport in rural areas mans that a tricky balancing act will be needed. Investment strategies must focus on sustainable road maintenance and infrastructure design along with additional support for net zero motive power, while encouraging wide-ranging public and behavioural changes to achieve mode change leading to net zero goals. Achieving the UK’s 2050 overall net zero goal will also require new low carbon energy sources as well as reducing energy demand.
Delivering greener transport and accelerating the drive to net zero is one of this Government’s central missions.
We’re moving fast to deliver greener buses and trains, support the switch to electric vehicles on our roads, and secure the UK as a global leader in sustainable aviation fuel. I’m looking forward to speaking with the sector on future collaboration to achieve these goals.
Simon Lightwood, Parliamentary
Under-Secretary of State for Transport
PATHWAYS TO NET ZERO: TRANSPORT PLANNING IN ACTION
WILL SHOWCASE PRACTICAL CASE STUDIES IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
A whole systems approach: Decarbonising transport requires integrating transport planning with land use, energy, green finance, a focus on user behaviour change and digital connectivity.
Active travel:
Encourage walking, cycling and wheeling through improved infrastructure and planning.
Integrated networks:
Delivering integrated transport networks rooted in stronger and smarter links between planning and transport.
Reducing the need to travel:
Integrate transport and land-use planning to create more localised communities where daily needs can be met without extensive travel.
Greening the public realm:
Creating cleaner, quieter, safer and more resilient roads and streets makes places more attractive for walking, wheeling and cycling.
Vision-led planning:
Plan development and transport infrastructure using an approach that limits road construction and car travel to help meet decarbonisation objectives and create more sustainable, accessible, equitable and healthy communities.
Zero emissions vehicles:
The UK has set ambitious targets for new cars and vans to be zero-emission by 2030, with heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) to follow from 2040. Plans include expanding EV charging infrastructure and developing hydrogen powered vehicles and increasing the use of biofuels.
Public Transport:
Making public transport more integrated, accessible and safe and affordable.
Behaviour change:
Encouraging people to shift from private car use to active travel and public transport, and to reduce overall travel. Strategies include raising awareness, providing incentives at and implementing travel planning at workplaces and new developments.
Decarbonising infrastructure:
The way transport networks are built, maintained and operated can help to reduce both the operational carbon emissions from transport use and the embodied carbon associated with creating and maintaining transport infrastructure itself, for example green street lighting, surface treatments and flood-friendly roadside verges.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
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Transportation Planners
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Policy makers
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Local council members
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Developers
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Architects
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Government agencies
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Academic and Research Institutions
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Professors and students from planning, architecture, and environmental studies
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Representatives from local transport authorities
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Private developers looking to align with new guidelines
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Local advocacy groups concerned with housing and transport issues
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Economic consultants focusing on housing and transport development
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Land use consultants
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Transport consultants
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Civil engineers
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Traffic analysts
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Sustainability consultants
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Environmental agencies
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Researchers specialising in transport and urban planning
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Members of the Transport Planning Society
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Advocacy groups focused on sustainable development
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Representatives from non-profits focused on public health, environmental sustainability, or community engagement
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Legal advisors in planning law
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Journalists covering urban development, transport policy, and housing issues
PROGRAMME
Please note programme is currently in development
09.00
REGISTRATION
Tea & coffee served in the exhibition area
09.30
Session 1: A whole systems approach
Achieving a net zero surface transport network by 2050 involves a comprehensive, system-wide strategy. Key actions include accelerating the shift to zero-emission vehicles such as electric cars and hydrogen-powered heavy goods vehicles, rapidly expanding charging infrastructure, delivering an integrated transport strategy, improving public transport and encouraging active travel. Decarbonising transport requires integrating transport planning with land use, energy, green finance, a focus on user behaviour change and digital connectivity. EVs are definitely not the only solution to focus on!
Presentation followed by an expert panel discussion and audience Q and A
10.30
Session 2: Planning for net zero freight: policies to deliver change
The freight sector is predominantly operated by private sector companies for their customers, and efficiency is focused on maximising customer service and minimising costs. However, the public sector sets the context and conditions for the sector’s operations through planning, regulation and incentives.
There’s a growing recognition that buses and cyclists use the same roads as lorries and vans and most deliveries are made across the pavement used by pedestrians. But how should freight activity be considered in transport planning? And why should resident and business deliveries and servicing needs be included in land use planning?
Panellists will discuss how planning for freight can help deliver regional and local outcomes, such as improving air quality and road safety, and reducing congestion, and contribute to a growing economy.
11.30
MORNING BREAK
Tea & coffee served in the exhibition area
12.00
Session 3: Decarbonising roads and infrastructure
Decarbonising vehicles is only half the journey; roads need to be net zero too. The way transport networks are built, maintained and operated can help to reduce both the operational carbon emissions from transport use and the embodied carbon associated with creating and maintaining transport infrastructure itself, for example green street lighting, surface treatments and flood-friendly roadside verges. The public realm needs shaping in resilient and people-friendly ways. Intelligent systems can help to improve road assets and operations, investment plans need to incorporate the circular economy, and the infrastructure itself should help to promote sustainable travel behaviours.
Presentation followed by an expert panel discussion and audience Q and A
13.15
LUNCH BREAK
Refreshments served in the exhibition area
14.15
Session 4: Passenger transport
There are clear decarbonisation benefits to planning for a less car-dependent future. Improving access to sustainable modes such as walking, wheeling, cycling and scooting requires a supportive policy environment, for example re-allocating road space for non-car modes, managing car parking carefully and supporting shared transport. Decarbonising vehicle motive power is a key step, but public transport needs additional supporting measures to enable them to complete with the convenience of the private car. Both bus and train need to offer reliable and frequent services, a quality travel environment and simple, affordable fares.
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Rail has proven low-carbon technologies that can be scaled up quickly – rail has been shown to be one of the quickest ways to reduce UK carbon emissions, especially when rail freight is considered.
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Buses are a critical part of transport any decarbonisation strategies as more than half the journeys taken on public transport are by bus. Decarbonising bus fleets, operations and management is key to meeting binding national net zero targets.
Presentation followed by an expert panel discussion and audience Q and A
15.30
AFTERNOON BREAK
Tea & coffee served in the exhibition area
16.00
Session 5: Connected, integrated communities
Decarbonising passenger transport involves a multi-faceted approach focusing on avoiding unnecessary travel, shifting to sustainable modes like public transport, walking, and cycling, and switching vehicle motive power to low carbon sources. Vision-led planning needs to focus on designing-in active transport infrastructure and integrating transport and land use planning, supported by behaviour change initiatives such as remote work and car-sharing. Rural transport options in particular need a dedicated policy focus.
Presentation followed by an expert panel discussion and audience Q and A
17.00
CLOSE OF CONFERENCE
SPEAKERS
Confirmed speakers will appear here
SPONSORSHIP & EXHIBITION OPPORTUNITIES
HEADLINE SPONSORSHIP
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Company logo as 'Headline Sponsor' on all event marketing, including website, advertisements, delegate badges and branding around the venue
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A main stage conference talk (10 minutes)
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3m x 2m exhibition area with table, chairs, power supply, and Wi-Fi
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Up to 6 delegate places with access to all sessions and seminars
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A company profile on the event website – logo and 100 words
£4,000 + VAT
EXHIBITION PACKAGE
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3m x 2m exhibition area with table, chairs, power supply, and Wi-Fi
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Up to 3 delegate places with access to all sessions and seminars
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A company profile on the event website – logo and 100 words
£2,000 + VAT
For further details and to book, contact:
Daniel Simpson on: 020 7091 7861
or email: daniel@landor.co.uk
