A lack of gender diversity in its workforce and leadership is undermining the transport sector's net zero carbon targets, warns a new report by the International Transport Forum (ITF), supported by the FIA Foundation.

The study examines the linkages between gender equality, transport and climate change to better understand the development of policies that can achieve both gender equality and decarbonising transport goals by 2050. Drawing on in-depth one-on-one interviews with individuals from four ITF member countries and two ITF Corporate Partnership Board members, the report provides guiding principles with specific actions to help countries and companies align their gender equality and decarbonising transport as well as identifying examples of existing good practice.

The report identified that a consistent approach to incorporating a gender dimension into decarbonising transport policies for users and improving the gender balance in the transport workforce would have a significant impact. It sets out four ‘guiding principles’ which are: Capacity building, knowledge management and communication; gender balance, participation and women’s leadership; enhance women’s participation and leadership in the transport workforce; implementation; and monitoring and evaluation. Each principle is accompanied by specific actions countries and companies can take to improve gender equality and decarbonising transport measures simultaneously.

Sheila Watson, Deputy Director of the FIA Foundation said: “The FIA Foundation is delighted to support this exciting new research with the International Transport Forum to consider the extent to which the vital process of transport decarbonisation and gender are interlinked. This report highlights the clear message that unless there is meaningful gender representation throughout the transport sector, in employment, planning systems, and disaggregated data then our transport systems will fail us all.”

The report was launched during a special webinar, opened and moderated by Sheila Watson, Deputy Director, FIA Foundation, with an introduction from Magdalena Olczak-Rancitelli, International Transport Forum Manager, and presentations from the authors, Wei-Shiuen Ng, Economic Affairs Officer for United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific and Danielle Bassan, Principal Advisor to the Ministry of Transport, New Zealand. Finally, a panel of experts from across governments and the transport industry discussed the ways in which the transport sector is, and can further, embed gender into systems and policy making, with speakers: Natalia Ramirez Gonzalez, Gender Advisor to the Minister, Chilean Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications; Sarah Badoux, Head of Sustainability, Voi Technologies; Dimitra Xynou, Policy Analyst, Green Growth & Global Relations Division, Environment Directorate, OECD.

Read the full report here: Gender Equality and the Role of Women in Decarbonising Transport | ITF (itf-oecd.org)

Watch the webinar here: https://youtu.be/F6VVVwS4Z8g