Just Transition: draft plan for transport in Scotland

2. Our Draft Vision and Outcomes for Transport

The draft Just Transition Plan for Transport is centred around the vision and outcomes set out in the table below.

This vision supports the National Transport Strategy vision, with specific emphasis on fair outcomes for workers, in the transport sector and beyond, and on our commitment to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.

The outcomes have been developed through a wide-ranging process of engagement and co-design (see Engagement and Co-Design Annex). Together, they describe the fairer, greener transport system we want to see by 2045, and the way in which we need to get there. They reflect our National Just Transition Outcomes and are grouped into four themes: Jobs, Skills and Economic Opportunities, Communities and Places, People and Equity, and Adaptation, Biodiversity and Environment.

Through its focus on these themes, this draft Just Transition Plan seeks to expand on our National Transport Strategy – by bringing greater focus to key just transition issues, particularly in relation to Jobs, Skills and Economic Opportunities. These include the implications of the transition when it comes to workforce planning, workforce diversity and new opportunities for business.

We have defined a set of indicators that we will use to monitor progress towards these outcomes, as outlined in Section 6.

Vision

By 2045, we will have a net-zero sustainable, inclusive, safe and accessible transport system helping deliver a healthier, fairer and more prosperous Scotland for communities, businesses workers and visitors.

Outcomes

Jobs, Skills and Economic Opportunities outcomes

1: The net zero transition supports new and existing well-paid jobs across Scotland, within transport services, supply chains and in the wider economy.

2: The transport sector supports diversity in the workforce, advances equality of opportunities for all, and is underpinned by a commitment to fair work.

3: Businesses currently relying on fossil fuel vehicles are supported to transition to zero emissions alternatives.

4: Scottish zero emission vehicle manufacturers and their supply chain can access growing domestic and international markets for their products.

Communities and Places outcomes

5: Communities (including in rural and suburban areas) are well connected, having better digital connectivity and shared transport options that meet their local needs.

6: Transport and the planning systems give communities access to the local services and amenities they need.

7: Island communities are well connected on-island, to other islands, and to the mainland, with affordable and low carbon transport options.

8: Communities are actively involved in decision-making processes around their transport and connectivity needs.

People and Equity outcomes

9: Transport options are safe and secure for all, especially vulnerable people.

10: Transport is accessible and easy to use for all, especially those with additional accessibility needs and isolated people.

11: Transport options are affordable and the transition to decarbonised transport does not disproportionately burden on those with least choice and ability to pay.

12: Access and support for active travel options leads to healthier outcomes.

Adaptation, Biodiversity and Environment outcomes

13: Transport infrastructure is, where practicable, designed and operated to maintain and increase biodiversity levels and improve habitats.

14: The transport transition has contributed to improvements in air quality across Scotland.

15: The transport system is prepared for the current and future impacts of climate change and is safe for all users, reliable for everyday journeys and resilient to weather-related disruption.

16: Scotland’s supply chain has minimised and mitigated embedded carbon and the wider environmental impacts associated with vehicle production, use and disposal.

By publishing this draft Just Transition Plan, we are setting out our initial assessment of how Scotland can achieve this vision. To provide as much clarity as possible, the draft Plan considers the key challenges and opportunities, as they relate to three broad groupings (although each interlink). These are:

• People and Communities;
• Workers; and
• Businesses and Organisations.

The Plan is designed to identify the major issues, highlight work that is already taking place, and explore next steps. For each of these groups, the draft Plan therefore sets out (and seeks views on):

• what a successful just transition by 2045 will mean
• the current context;
• action to date; and
• potential future priorities.

Draft Just Transition Plan for Transport: Consultation

Vision and Outcomes Consultation Questions:

Aim: To get feedback on the overall structure of the Plan and general comments or gaps identified in the outcomes. This is also to invite views on future engagement on just transition issues in Transport.

Audience: Everyone is invited to answer all consultation questions, but we have suggested that there are some questions which are more relevant to organisations or businesses, so it is possible for you to skip questions you don’t want to answer.

Question 1A: Do the draft outcomes reflect what the Plan should be aiming to achieve?

1B: Is anything missing from the draft outcomes in the Plan?

Question 2 (Everyone): Please look at the draft Transport Just Transition Plan, and tell us whether you agree or disagree with the following statements.

The Plan is easy to understand

• Strongly Agree
• Agree
• Neither Agree nor Disagree
• Disagree
• Strongly Disagree
• Don’t Know

The Plan is easy to use

• Strongly Agree
• Agree
• Neither Agree nor Disagree
• Disagree
• Strongly Disagree
• Don’t Know

The information in the Plan is helpful

• Strongly Agree
• Agree
• Neither Agree nor Disagree
• Disagree
• Strongly Disagree
• Don’t Know

The information in the Plan is relevant to me

• Strongly Agree
• Agree
• Neither Agree nor Disagree
• Disagree
• Strongly Disagree
• Don’t Know

The Plan is accessible to me

• Strongly Agree
• Agree
• Neither Agree nor Disagree
• Disagree
• Strongly Disagree
• Don’t Know

Question 3 (Everyone): Are you involved in any organised groups (for example a campaigning group, industry working group or public sector forum, which does not have to be climate-related) that considers how the transport sector is changing or could change in future?

3A: How could existing transport groups consider just transition issues?

Note on Q3: These questions are about understanding how people, organisations and communities want to engage on issues relating to a just transition for Transport. We have heard that people want to use existing groups, not create new ones, and that many groups and organisations have already taken actions, ideas or best practice that others could learn from when considering a just transition for Transport.