Transport & Air Pollution
Transport is Scotland’s biggest source of climate emissions and the primary source of air pollution, which leads to 2,500 premature deaths in Scotland every year.
We need a decent public transport system that everyone can afford, and for people to feel safer walking and cycling so that fewer of us are using cars to get around.
By shifting the focus of planning and public spending towards public transport, walking and cycling we'll improve our health, climate and tackle social inequality.
Our transport system needs to change
Our current transport system isn’t working for us. Our “car is king” mentality means that driving is often the only option for people, leaving those without a car behind and causing dangerous levels of air pollution and carbon emissions in the process.
Making transport work for everyone
Public transport should be for everyone. This means making them free for all, but also bringing buses back into public ownership so services are run where people need them, not just where bus companies can make the most profit.
We need councils to build safe cycling networks, so people are confident in using their bikes to get around. And communities must take the lead in the transition away from our car-dominated system, so that what replaces it works for all of Scotland.
What we are doing
- Pushing the Scottish Government to take stronger action to meet its climate goals
- Researching the best solutions for creating a transport system that works for everyone
- Supporting community groups to create change in their area
- Increasing awareness of the environmental, health and social problems caused by the current transport system.
Recent successes
- We helped push the Scottish Government into commiting to reduce car travel by 20% by 2030
- Low Emission Zones are being introduced in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee
- Councils have new powers to start publicly-owned bus companies
- The active travel budget will be increased to 10% of the Government’s overall transport budget by 2024.
We need to start thinking of public transport as an essential service, like education or health. It should be available to everyone and free at the point of use. This is the only way we can tackle the climate crisis, air pollution and the inequality being caused by the current system.
Gavin Thomson, Transport Campaigner
Latest Blogs
Parents’ campaign saves threatened bus route
Planned bus cuts between Perth and Stirling would have been a disaster for children using the service to get to school, so Krissy Scott got together with some other concerned parents and managed to stop it from happening.
Wave of Kidical Mass rides shows demand for safe cycling
Group bike rides are rising in popularity as people raise awareness of the lack of safe cycling for children in Scotland.
How to minimise your risk from air pollution
10 top tips to help protect yourself and your family from harmful pollution
Latest Press Releases
Inverness city centre street to undergo radical change
Highland Council will revamp Academy Street in Inverness to reduce traffic and create space for walking and cycling.
Transport campaigners protest for fair fares
Transport campaigners in Glasgow submitted a petition to the regional transport authority and asked them to use new bus powers to plan a connected, affordable bus network.
Air quality watchdog says councils aren’t doing enough to protect health
Campaigners have welcomed a report from an independent body that reveals air pollution in Scotland isn’t being dealt with.
Resources
National Planning Framework 4 Consultation Response
A manifesto for local authorities – 2022 Council Elections
This manifesto sets out some of the priorities for action that parties should champion in their manifestos, and the policies that should be taken to deliver them.
Briefing on the 20% car km reduction consultation
National Planning Framework 4 Position Statement response
Our response to the Low Emission Zone regulation consultation.
A greener Scottish Budget
We need better buses
An affordable, accessible bus network will lead to less car travel, and so lower pollution and climate emissions. Buses are vital for the future of our transport system. But the current system doesn’t deliver for passengers.
Walking and Cycling
Travelling by walking and cycling means reduced pollution and carbon emissions, and brings benefits for our physical and mental health.
What is a Low Emission Zone?
Low Emission Zones (LEZs) are areas in town or city centres where the most polluting vehicles are restricted from entering.
Help make more impact
Take Action Online
Sign our latest petitions and e-actions. Change comes when we unite.
Donate
We can only make positive changes happens because people like you care enough to take action. Consider backing our work with a donation.
Events
Find out and register for our latest environmental events across Scotland and online.