Climate Change Pledge

CIHT recognises the importance and urgency of addressing climate change and today is launching a series of commitments in response to the climate change challenge.

On 27 June 2019 the UK legislated for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 (2045 in Scotland). Now the UK Government must show it is serious about meeting its obligations. Organisations and individuals also must play their part – including professional bodies and their members.

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CIHT exists to deliver public benefit and there is considerable evidence that the risk to the public of not delivering the changes will be significant.

We have a key leadership role to play in supporting our members to adapt and respond, as well as demonstrating our own policy commitment to support adaptive behaviour for achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

The Committee on Climate Change has highlighted the areas where change is required. These areas are all where CIHT members are active and influential and include travel, energy consumption, building techniques and technology.

As a start, CIHT is making the following series of commitments:

  1. CIHT will promote the need to plan and mitigate for the consequences of climate change in relation to highways and transportation by encouraging individuals, organisations and society to start making a difference now. We will do this by using our national / regional networks, young professional groups, transportation professional magazine and social media platforms to generate debate with a view to identifying how the sector and society can define and start delivering the changes needed.

  2. CIHT will promote the need for investment in and implementation of climate change mitigation and sustainable development through our technical and policy work. We will do this by working with governments and professional partners to call for change in legislation and policy and through advice and guidance.

  3. CIHT will identify and celebrate best practice that responds to the climate change challenge. We will do this through awards, prizes and case studies and follow-up dissemination.

  4. CIHT will promote, share and disseminate knowledge and research to encourage the take up of innovations which are climate responsive. We will do this by engaging with our supply chain, clients, university partners and with governments.

  5. CIHT will promote education, training and professional development opportunities to support members to gain the knowledge and skills to respond effectively to climate change. We will do this by working with our education and training partners and through our professional development programmes.

  6. CIHT will seek to reduce our own carbon footprint. We will do this by reviewing our own practice and procedures and engaging with staff and volunteers. 

Sue Percy CBE, Chief Executive, CIHT said:

“The time for action is now if we are to shape tomorrow today. As the UK’s leading professional body for highways and transportation CIHT’s Board of Trustees is calling on its members to be at the forefront of ensuring our industry responds to the need for action.

As a first step we have launched this series of commitments in recognition of the need for change and we will be providing leadership and supporting our members to make a difference over the coming months.

We have already launched our ‘Better Planning, Better Transport, Better Places’ document that provides advice on improving the integration between planning and transport and shows how this can help reduce carbon emissions. Another example of our recent activity has been our Last Mile on Foot campaign being run with Transportation Professional to encourage transport users to get out and walk the last mile of their journey and our policy on using sustainable transport modes as the preferred option when travelling on behalf of CIHT.”

CIHT’s Pledge to Change and the commitments will be developed with our members in more detail over the coming months.


Get involved

If you are a member with an interest or expertise in this area and are interested in getting involved, please get in touch via climatechange@ciht.org.uk

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Get ahead with CIHT Membership

Join other savvy professionals just like you at CIHT.  We are  committed to fulfilling your professional development needs throughout your career

Find the right membership for you