Momentum Transport Consultancy, the London-based integrated transport consultancy, has today revealed the results of its annual sustainability impact assessment with a total of 340,207 potential net tonnes of CO2e saved yearly* from transport modal shift and deliveries consolidation.
The bespoke environmental impact assessment highlights the sustainability benefits brought to each project that the company works on. When a project has been granted planning permission, the assessment captures Momentum’s contribution to the sustainability of the scheme, looking at transport carbon emissions savings, public realm provision and delivery consolidation strategies. Potential CO2 savings are calculated by taking the proposed (and consented) mode share, and any delivery consolidation strategies, and comparing them to an industry standard baseline for the given land use type. Elements such as the number of trees planted, number of cycle parking spaces, public realm improvements and active travel proposals are also incorporated into the review.
In 2022/23 five schemes were considered in the assessment:
- Red Lion Court (London Borough of Southwark): contributing 167 new short-stay cycle parking spaces; 667 long-stay cycle parking spaces; 900 sqm of additional public realm; and 3 EV (electric vehicle) charging spaces.
- Chenies Street (London Borough of Camden): contributing 14 new short-stay cycle parking spaces and 141 long-stay cycle parking spaces.
- 21 Bloomsbury Street (London Borough of Camden): contributing 12 new short-stay cycle parking spaces and 122 long-stay cycle parking spaces.
- 7 Princes Street (City of London): contributing 29 new short-stay cycle parking spaces and 9 long-stay cycle parking spaces.
- 85 Gracechurch Street (City of London): contributing 114 new short-stay cycle parking spaces; 505 long-stay cycle parking spaces; and 114 sqm of additional public realm.
In 2022/23 schemes worked on by Momentum which have received planning permission contribute a potential daily saving of 3650 net tonnes of CO2e.
Kana Nomoto, senior consultant at Momentum who leads the annual transport summary, said: “As transport consultants we’re used to quantifying our work, looking at elements such as modal shift. But given the nature of development planning it can be hard to analyse the material impact. Our bespoke assessment tool allows us to quantify the theoretical CO2e savings that we expect to see coming through when the development is on the ground.
“This year it was particularly interesting to note that all the schemes we analysed have the potential to achieve carbon saving through modal shift. That’s driven by a greater shift towards active travel modes, namely walking and cycling, compared to the baseline, which significantly help to reduce potential carbon emissions. Additionally, four of the five projects we analysed have a consolidation strategy proposed as part of the planning application. So rather than looking purely at a visitor mode shift, we are also able to consider the potential amount of carbon emission savings through the reduction of vehicle delivery trips to the site. This has become increasingly at the forefront of both developers’ and local authorities’ minds within the past year or so.”
Roy McGowan, managing director at Momentum said: “The transport sector is the biggest contributor of carbon emissions in the UK, and globally transport accounts for approximately one quarter of all energy-related greenhouse gas emissions.
“At Momentum we recognise that the traditional “business as usual” approach to transport planning is inadequate in the context of the climate change emergency facing us. Transport as a sector has a huge impact on the general sustainability of cities and urban spaces so we’re passionate about creating healthier places for communities. We’re really proud to highlight the incredible potential savings which have been identified this year and look forward to seeing them come through as the developments are constructed and start to be used in the coming years.”
ENDS
Notes to editor
- *Yearly total based on an assumption of 233 working days in the UK and assumption of an average two days per week in the office.
- The bespoke environmental impact assessment tool, used to generate this year’s findings, has been developed in-house by Momentum’s sustainable transport team.
- Momentum’s transport sustainability summary for consented schemes is published annually in December.
- An infographic highlighting the findings of Momentum’s 2022/23 transport sustainability summary can be found here.
- Further insight into the transport sustainability summary can be heard on Momentum’s ‘Conversations in Momentum’ podcast (season 3, episode 2): https://soundcloud.com/momentum-transport
About Momentum
Momentum is a leading integrated, people-first transport consultancy. Founded in 2012 the company creates transport strategies and solutions that inform, integrate with and are integral to every aspect of the built environment today and for the future. Focusing on the emerging, universal and critical issues facing development Momentum works with clients to address the multi-faceted challenges of the industry and to create forward-looking solutions.
The company’s three core areas of specialism in planning, insight & analytics and engineering are bound together by a shared vision to improve the environments we live, work and play in. The company works in markets including commercial, cultural and heritage, education, major events, masterplanning, public realm, residential, retail and stadia and venues.
Momentum was the winner of the CIHT ‘Employer of the Year’ 2022 award, the CIHT ‘Team of the Year’ 2023 award and is a signatory to the CIHT Diversity Charter.
Press contact
Sarah Pryor, Head of Marketing
t: +44 (0)20 7242 0228
e: sarah.pryor@momentum-transport.com
w: https://www.momentum-transport.com