Exploring Pathways to Sustainable Mobility Transitions

Chair: Linda Steg (University of Groningen)

Transportation is responsible for approximately 23% of global energy-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with emissions projected to increase unless transformative measures are implemented. Reliance on fossil fuels in transportation not only contributes to climate change but also intensifies urban air pollution and noise, thereby impacting public health.

Despite ambitious environmental targets set at national and European levels, the pace of reductions in transport-related GHG emissions remains insufficient. Road vehicles account for 70% of transport emissions, with individual car use and ownership being significant contributors. For some, car use is a deeply ingrained habitual behaviour, resistant to change. For others, such as residents of rural areas facing mobility poverty and limited accessibility, car use is essential for societal inclusion. This implies that not only motivations need to change but also systems and infrastructure to better support a lifestyle without a car.

This workshop aims to identify key individual and contextual factors to stimulate transitions toward sustainable mobility. We will bring together experts from diverse disciplines including social environmental psychology, urban planning, engineering, economics, policy-making, and transport modeling. We will analyse the state of the art and exchange knowledge, highlighting key aspects that need to be taken into account to accelerate the transition. Participants of the workshop will engage in interactive discussions and collaborative activities designed to identify the drivers and barriers to sustainable mobility transitions while fostering an interdisciplinary dialogue.

• Floor Alkemade (Eindhoven University of Technology)
• Birgitta Gatersleben (University of Surrey)
• Linda Steg (University of Groningen)