About this research project
The transport system is one of Aotearoa New Zealand's most significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Radical reductions in emissions are needed to meet climate targets. There are various approaches to how we might reduce emissions in the transport sector, each resulting in differing health, transport and equity outcomes while achieving climate goals.
This project explored a range of scenarios for a low-carbon transport system for New Zealand using a macro simulation model to estimate the transport, economic, health and equity outcomes of each scenario out to 2050.
The results from this research will allow us to compare the health gains or losses across the important health impacts of the transport system (air pollution, injury; physical activity and noise), equity impacts and cost-effectiveness of the different low-carbon transport system scenarios.
This project is funded by an HRC project grant (20/151) and has ethical approval from the University of Otago Human Ethics Committee (HD20/081).
Our people
The team that work on this project are:
- Associate Professor Caroline Shaw (Principal Investigator)
- Dr Anja Mizdrak
- Ryan Gage
- Dr Melissa McLeod
- Associate Professor Rhys Jones
- Professor Tony Blakely
- Professor Alistair Woodward
Outputs
Papers
Shaw C, Mizdrak A, Gage R, McLeod M, Jones R, Woodward A, Cobiac L. 2024. Policy approaches to decarbonising the transport sector in Aotearoa New Zealand: modelling equity, population health, and health-system effects. The Lancet Planetary Health. 8(9):e647-e656. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(24)00171-2
Shaw C, Gage R, McLeod M, Jones R, Mizdrak A, Woodward A. 2024. Socioeconomic inequalities in greenhouse gas emissions from household travel in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Travel Behaviour and Society. 37:100820. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214367X24000838
Mizdrak A, Tatah L, Mueller N, Shaw C, Woodcock J. 2023. Assessing the health impacts of changes in active transport: An updated systematic review. J Transp Health. 33:101702. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2023.101702
Gage R, Mizdrak A, Richards J, Bauman A, McLeod M, Jones R, Woodward A, Shaw C. 2023. The Epidemiology of Domain-Specific Physical Activity in New Zealand Adults: A Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Survey. J Phys Act Health. 20(10):909-920. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37290767
Shaw C, Tiatia-Seath J. Travel inequities experienced by Pacific peoples in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Journal of Transport Geography. 2022;99:103305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2022.103305
Blogs
Shaw, C. Healthier, happier, fairer: new research shows major life benefits from decarbonising transport
The Conversation, 5 September 2024
Shaw, C., Woodward, A. Social advantage associated with greenhouse emissions from transport in Aotearoa
The Briefing, 12 June 2024
Shaw, C. Mizdrak, A, Gage, R. More than 147km – the transformative potential of the Wellington bike network plan
Public Health Expert, 24 November 2021
Woodward, A. Wild, K., Jones, R. Climate policy that relies on a shift to electric cars risks entrenching existing inequities
The Conversation, 27 May 2021
Shaw, C. NZ's smoking rates dropped dramatically thanks to a hard-hitting campaign. Could we do the same to bring emissions down? The Conversation, 23 February 2021
Shaw, C. Mizdrak, A. E-bikes are the new cars- why don't transport policy makers treat them seriously?
Public Health Expert, 4 August 2020
Presentations
Mizdrak, A. Seeking the transport sweet spot health, equity and zero carbon
Transport Knowledge Conference. Wellington, 1 December 2021
Shaw, C. Rethinking transport in the 21st century
Presentation to the Sustainable Healthcare and Climate Health Aotearoa Conference. Wellington, 22 June 2021
Other
In 2020 we hosted two summer students who researched international exemplars of active transport and electric car policy. As part of the studentship they produced posters summarizing their findings.
E-Car Policy poster (PDF)
Cycling Policy poster (PDF)
Caroline Shaw was interviewed on Nine to Noon on Radio New Zealand about ebike policy on 11 September 2020.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018763573/transport-policy-makers-urged-to-treat-e-bikes-more-seriously
Team members have contributed to a range of submissions related to transport-climate-health policy over the duration of the project. These include submissions on draft Government Emissions Reduction Plans (2021 and 2024) ), Hīkina te Kohupara – Kia mauri ora ai te iwi Transport Emissions: Pathways to Net Zero by 2050 (2021), He Pou a Rangi/Climate Change Commission 2021 Draft Advice for Consultation (2021) and Government Policy Statements on Land Transport (2024).
Contact us
If you have further questions about the project, please contact:
Associate Professor Caroline Shaw
Email caroline.shaw@otago.ac.nz