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Low-Carbon Transport Research in Europe: What is funded, why, and how?

Previous research highlights some of the challenges in ensuring that sustainability and climate change policies are supported by robust, coordinated, policy-relevant research. Less is known about how funding decisions are made, including what research areas are prioritised, and how projects are evaluated and monitored. The aim of this paper is to examine funding processes and procedures across Europe, focussing on the area of low-carbon transport research. We conducted a major review of European funding schemes, utilising a mixed-methods approach. Analysis of funding scheme priorities showed a slight preference for technological over social research, but our primary research found both transport experts and citizens consider the most important priorities for sustainable transport to be modal shift and reduced demand measures. Analysis of European, MS and AS research agendas suggests there are broadly consistent priorities in transport funding, namely reducing environmental impact, fostering economic growth and competitiveness, and improving safety. Environment, including carbon emissions, is a relatively important concern for most countries, being prioritised by around 30% of schemes. Nevertheless, despite notable examples of coordination at EU-level to coordinate research, further efforts are needed to ensure policy is joined-up to achieve energy and climate targets. We conclude with a proposal for six indicative guidelines in developing and managing low-carbon transport schemes in Europe.

research funding; low-carbon transport; Europe; priorities; best practice

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