The need for significant changes to road transport to address the climate crisis was a key focus of the activities of the FIA Foundation during COP28 in the United Arab Emirates. FIA Foundation Deputy Director Sheila Watson was a vocal advocate for sustainable and equitable mobility during a host of events on issues of air quality, active mobility, vehicle decarbonization, and gender equality.

‘Walking and Cycling Investments in NDCs for Climate, Health, and Equity’ explored the potential of active mobility to achieve global climate goals. Enabling more people to walk and cycle safely is a quick, affordable and reliable way to help reduce transport emissions by as much as 50%. An event on this topic was hosted by the FIA Foundation in collaboration with WALK21 and the European Cyclists Federation (ECF) as the Partnership for Active Travel and Health (PATH), alongside Despacio, included speakers: Carlos Eduardo Enríquez Caicedo, Vice Minister of Transport in Colombia; BogotáMayor Claudia López; Utrecht Mayor Sharon Dijksma; Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala; Nicolas Peltier-Thiberge, The World Bank; Stephen O’Driscoll, European Investment Bank (EIB); and event organiser representatives. Read the latest PATH report ‘National Policies for Walking and Cycling in all 197 UNFCCC Countries.’

The urgent need for a global transition to zero-emission vehicles by 2050, was the topic of a discussion which the FIA Foundation hosted ‘Accelerating the ZEV Revolution: Moving towards an emission-free future through global collaboration’ with the Government of the United Kingdom and the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). The event launched the ZEV Transition Council Global report ‘Zero Emission Vehicles Transition Roadmap’ which sets out action to accelerate the transition to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) in emerging markets and developing economies. The Roadmap - to which the Global Fuel Economy Initiative (GFEI) made a substantial contribution - sets out ways to make ZEVs the most affordable, accessible, and attractive options in all regions by 2030. The FIA Foundation supports a range of research through the Global Fuel Economy Initiative to inform ZEV Transition Council activities and policies while Deputy Director Sheila Watson is part of the Council’s steering group process. High-level stakeholders from across the road transport sector gathered to hear evidence from the latest GFEI research into global vehicle market trends, new ICCT research on transport to reach climate goals well below 1.7C and to explore the successes and challenges of the ZEV revolution in leading and emerging markets. The event was moderated by Sheila Watson and speakers included the Rt Hon Graham Stuart MP, United Kingdom Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, and Reed Schuler Senior Advisor to the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry.

The Real Urban Emissions Initiative (TRUE) presented the findings of a real-world vehicle emissions testing project in Abu Dhabi, the first programme of its kind in the Middle East at the event ‘Cleaner Air in Abu Dhabi.’ The Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) hosted the side event with TRUE partners The ICCT and FIA Foundation at the UAE Pavillion. The findings which were shared at the meeting, highlighted the highest emitting vehicles in the vehicle road fleet and will inform future transport policy.

Deputy Director Sheila Watson was invited by the COP28 Presidency and the UNFCCC to moderate the COP28 Presidency Multi-Stakeholder Roundtable on Land Transport. The discussions involved contributions and deliberations on various aspects of land transport. Speakers included: Ahmed Aboutaleb, Mayor of Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Yasmina Basta, Just transition Coordinator UGTA and ITF Young Workers' Representative; Mr. Ambroise Fayolle, Vice-President, European Investment Bank; and Ms. Fatimetou Boukhreiss, Project coordinator of Project ARENDDRE, Nouakchott, Mauritania.

The role of gender in transport and climate action was the focus of a joint event between the FIA Foundation, the International Transport Forum and the International Labour Organisation. During the event ‘Advancing Gender Equality in Transport Climate Action’ Sheila Watson highlighted the fact that transport and climate policies will only succeed if they are designed for everyone.

Sheila Watson, FIA Foundation Deputy Director, said: “Transport is a vital and often overlooked part of the climate action agenda. During COP28 we were pleased to join a range of partners from across all elements of transport in calling for urgent action to move away from fossil fuel reliance, for investment in active mobility and for a just transition. It is clear that we must change how we move now, and that change must happen in a rapid, effective, and inclusive way.”