Transport and Covid-19: responses and resources

Address gender bias in transport to meet climate targets, says new ITF report with FIA Foundation

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 and identify 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 groups of 'guiding principles':

  • Capacity building, knowledge management and communication.
  • Gender balance, participation and women's leadership.
  • Implementation.
  • Monitoring and reporting.

Specific actions accompany each principle for countries and companies 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."

Young Tae Kim, ITF Secretary-General, said: "We cannot address climate change without decarbonising transport. And we cannot make our mobility sustainable without addressing the gender imbalance in how we design and use transport. This report with FIA Foundation brings a pragmatic understanding of how ITF members and the industry have improved their gender equality. Their experience paves the way for others to adapt and develop. Under my instruction, we analyse all our work at ITF to ensure the most inclusive approach and result possible. It is my great hope that this will become the norm worldwide. We are all in this together; we all stand to benefit."


The report was launched during a special webinar, opened and moderated by Sheila Watson, with an introduction from Magdalena Olczak-Rancitelli, ITF Manager. Presentations from 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, provided an analysis of the findings and methodology.

Finally, a panel of experts from across governments and the transport industry discussed how the transport sector can further embed gender into systems and policy making.

The speakers were:

  • 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.

Get the full report and watch a recording of the webinar here: Gender Equality and the Role of Women in Decarbonising Transport

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