Hallam Citizens' Climate Manifesto | Green Public Transport
Thursday 4th February, from 5:30 - 6:30pm on Zoom

The climate and ecological emergency isn’t going away. Its effects are increasingly being felt throughout the world - from water shortages abroad, to flooding at home in Yorkshire. Action is urgently needed if we are going to curb the worst effects of this crisis.

In November 2021, world leaders will meet in Glasgow at the UN Climate Summit, COP26. As co-hosts, this could be a huge opportunity for the UK to push for the radical action needed, to get us back on track to net-zero emissions while ensuring a just and fair transition internationally and at home.

If the government’s track record on the climate is anything to go by, there is a very strong possibility that this summit will be more of the same: half hearted targets and broken promises.

If we’re going to stand a chance of acting with the urgency that is needed we need to start now. I want to bring the issues that will be discussed at this summit back to the people of Sheffield, so we can build a vision of what a green recovery looks like here in Hallam. And so we can take this vision to the UK Government and to world leaders at COP26.

Over the next 9 months I am going to be holding a series of (virtual!) climate assemblies with Hallam residents, covering key climate topics. The first of these will be on green public transportation.

I want to hear about the transportation the people of Hallam want for our city.

Transportation is the largest contributor of the UK’s greenhouse gases, with the vast majority of these emissions coming from passenger cars. In the Sheffield City Region, 71% of people commute by car, which has resulted in increased congestion, longer journey times and worsening air quality. COP26 must talk about a modal shift from polluting, private modes of transportation to greener, public transport.

If we could reduce the usage of emissions-intensive vehicles across the city, not only can we help the UK reach its legally binding carbon budgets but we can also improve the health and wellbeing of our city. With air pollution expected to kill over 1400 people in Sheffield over the next decade, and 15,000 in Yorkshire, we have to act now.

I am currently working with Louise Haigh on a bid to restore rail services to the Sheaf Valley, reopening stations at Millhouses, Heeley, and Beauchief, and expanding Dore & Totley station. We see this as one way we can ensure access to more sustainable modes of transport to the people of Sheffield.

Join me on 4^th February to discuss how public transport should be transformed to tackle the climate crisis. Joining me will be Gareth from the Trades Union Congress, working on their Better Buses for South Yorkshire campaign.