A new report by UITP, “The Road to Sustainability: Transition to Renewable Energy in Public Transport,” provides guidance on how public transport undertakings can achieve a successful energy transition to their decarbonization goals.

The report covers energy use in today’s public transport; decarbonization of mobility and the role of public transport, the challenges, and perspectives on differing energy markets segments to the schemes available and setting up the energy transition, according to UITP's news release.

To maintain this leadership role and take its share of the burden of reducing emissions, the sector is currently decarbonizing its activities by transitioning to renewable energy sources. This includes the electrification of vehicle fleets and investing in fleets powered by other alternative energy sources, such as hydrogen or biofuels.

For the sector to achieve this transformation and meet its decarbonisation objectives, the report said it must invest both in new green fleets to ensure that they have access to green and renewable sources of energy.

“This report gathers a year’s worth of work between the UITP Sustainable Development Committee and other UITP members who kindly contributed to our working group," said Elisabetta Tromellini, Head of CSR — Sustainability at FNM S.P.A. "Over the course of 2022, the energy topic grew in importance for many, and I believe the hard work all our contributors put into this report should support the sector in facing the energy and climate crisis. Stay tuned in the coming months for more on the topic of renewable energy.”

UITP added that renewable energies supply will differ from one context to another, which is why it is important to understand the legal context and local energy markets. Working in cooperation with an energy provider/developer, municipalities, and other energy consumers facilitates the deployment of new renewable electricity assets and a supply of renewable fuels.

“The transition to renewable energy is an outstanding opportunity for the public transport sector to reaffirm its leadership position as a provider of sustainable mobility," said Arthur Cormier, UITP sustainable development committee manager. "Across all assets, the energy transition only strengthens benefits of public transport and should be on the agenda of all stakeholders in the sector.”