A Scottish commission examining potential action to tackle climate change and make the country “a healthier, more prosperous and more equal society” has called for a pilot project to test the effect of offering free public transport to encourage more sustainable mobility.

The Scottish Government’s Just Transition Commission says “rapid interventions” are needed “to fully realise the potential, and mitigate the potential injustice, associated with the net-zero transition”.

One of its key suggestions is to partner with local authorities – at least one largely-urban and one rural – to pilot targeted expansion of access to free public transport “in order to fully evaluate whether impacts on emissions and social inclusion would justify the cost of such a policy nationally”.

It also wants a commitment towards the creation of 20-minute neighbourhoods where people can live, work, shop and socialise all within 20 minutes’ walk or cycle.

The Commission started its work in early 2019, with a remit to provide
practical, affordable, actionable recommendations to Scottish Ministers.

Read the full report here.

(Picture – cover of the report courtesy Just Transition Commission)