Sustainable transport policy and strategy
Working with governments and businesses across the world to deliver the most effective strategies, policies and solutions to make transport systems more efficient, sustainable and resilient.
Safe, smart and sustainable solutions for your transport challenges
Our expert engineers, scientists and economists can help you assess, design and implement innovative and effective sustainable solutions to complex transport issues around the world.
From advising governments and policy makers on transport strategy and regulations to supporting businesses to comply and thrive, we help drive progress to a low carbon economy. We support organisations to reduce uncertainty and risk and build resilience by better understanding emerging technologies and regulatory requirements.
We work with organisations across the transport sectors including road transport, aviation, maritime, rail and micromobility, providing robust evidence, expert knowledge and future-facing strategic advice on vehicles, fleets, infrastructure and low carbon fuels.
Projects
UK Sustainable Aviation Fuels Clearing House
Read project
BMW Group - Industry leading vehicle footprint disclosure project
Read project
Electric vehicle sustainability and efficiency research
Read projectHelping you to achieve your sustainable transport goals
We advise policy makers and regulators around the world on all stages of the policy cycle. We support governments to develop transport strategies and plans that make mobility services and infrastructure more accessible and reduce transport’s contribution to climate change and air pollution.
Our work with policy makers and regulators provides us with unique insights and equips us with the experience necessary to advise companies and transport sector trade associations on the implications of new policies and regulations. We can help your organisation to understand existing and emerging policy, enabling you to maximise opportunities and minimise risk in the regulatory landscape.
Our global, multidisciplinary team of engineers, economists and scientists utilise robust and innovative methodologies to assess the economic and environmental impacts of transport technologies and policies. We provide you with the robust and reliable evidence required to future-proof decision-making in response to key questions regarding realistic emission reduction targets, regulatory and pricing instruments, supply chain decarbonisation, e-mobility costs and emissions, and future low carbon fuels.
Through identification and robust assessment of technology and fuel options, (e.g. e-mobility, biofuels and hydrogen) we enable public and private sector organisations to make confident and informed technology decisions. We use a wide range of qualitative and quantitative approaches in our analyses, underpinned by a sound understanding of transport technologies and fuels (drawing on Ricardo’s wider engineering expertise), practical considerations and the policy context to help both policymakers and businesses in the transport industry explore the implications of new and emerging technologies and business models.
Scenario planning is a valuable tool to help businesses plan more effectively and for developing strategies that deal with inherent uncertainty. Scenarios are possible worlds, not predictions. By blending the known and the unknown into plausible views of the future, we can help your organisation test the robustness of its long-term strategies and stretch the organisational thinking and plan for disruptive new products and services.
We have a strong track record in managing transport programmes, information portals and innovation competitions for the public sector. Our team provides rigorous programme and project management support, innovative stakeholder engagement tools and in-depth knowledge of sustainable mobility technologies, supported by dedicated in-house digital services and communications experts.
Our teams can work with you to optimise, accelerate and de-risk decarbonisation of your entire fleet.
Fleet decarbonisation support
Support across all mobility types
We enable public and private sector organisations to make informed sustainable decisions regarding road vehicles and associated infrastructure including heavy and light goods vehicles, buses, passenger cars and more. Our research, analysis and advice covers sustainability, policy, financial, technology and practical considerations to provide forward-facing solutions.
We are helping the maritime sector transition toward a more efficient, sustainable and low-carbon future. As an independent and impartial partner, we bring deep industry expertise and technical capability across the entire maritime value chain.
Our work spans policy support for organisations such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the development of green shipping corridors along with regulatory, strategic and technical advisory services for ports, vessel owners, and other key stakeholders in the maritime industry.
Off-highway vehicles and fleets need specialist knowledge to decarbonise. Ricardo's off-highway expert engineers work with our regulatory and sustainability experts to support clients with off-highway fleets helping them to understand the intricate regulatory landscape and develop bespoke and robust solutions to complex sustainability and regulatory challenges.
Ricardo is committed to helping aviation stakeholders (including airlines, airports, ground operators, manufacturers and policy makers) across the world in optimising and accelerating their trajectory to a low carbon economy.
We support these stakeholders through deep sectorial experience and robust research and analysis to provide pertinent information and powerful strategic advice.
We have particular expertise with sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), which reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 80% over the lifecycle of the fuel compared to traditional jet fuel.
We provide clients with access to engineers who understand SAF technologies, anticipate technological and industry changes, and have been involved in developing industry policy. We have help to set up and provide ongoing technical support to the UK and EU SAF clearing houses. We support airports and airlines with regulatory compliance for SAF mandates, environmental targets and certification.
As space in urban centres becomes increasingly scarce and manufacturers and fleet operators come under pressure to show reductions in their environmental footprints, many markets are now favouring, low-emission fleets and strategies such as last mile delivery via light mobility vehicles.
Our teams are supporting this shift by providing private and public sector clients with specialist insight into relevant regulatory requirements, research into technology options and independent analysis of environmental impacts.
We work with governments, operators, infrastructure managers and manufacturers to ensure railways deliver the highest possible value to their customers and wider communities.
Whether you are looking to develop new regional transport plans, introduce low-emission technologies, or improve the journey experience for your customers, we bridge the divide between core engineering disciplines and the economic and environmental challenges of rail transport.
Bespoke transport modelling tools
Exploring the impacts of different technology, policy and infrastructure scenarios.
Sustainable Transport Model (SULTAN)
SULTAN analyses the potential impact of technologies and policy pathways for the development of sustainable mobility strategies. It has been used in many policy studies at EU level (for the EC, and a range of NGOs and trade associations).
Charger Route Model (ChaRM)
The ChaRM tool helps decision makers assess the relative costs and emissions of different electric fleet technologies.
Vehicle life-cycle assessment (LCA) modelling framework
Our vehicle life cycle assessment (LCA) modelling framework provides analysis of the environmental impacts of road vehicle types, powertrains and fuel/electricity production chains.
Sustainable transport policy and strategy Resources
