Strategic choices Middle East city leaders must make to deliver net zero mobility by 2050
Written by Netal Chandak (transport consultant, Dubai) drawing on her expertise across mobility and net zero.
Wherever we live, how we move around it matters. Cities are so often characterised by their mobility systems 鈥� think of the London underground, New York鈥檚 yellow cabs or the bicycles of Amsterdam.
How residents and visitors travel shape cities themselves, influencing how businesses operate, how neighbourhoods grow, how people get to work and how they get home again. For many decades, getting people from A to B in the quickest way possible was the primary objective of mobility systems.
But cities, transportation and people have changed. Now, traditional mobility systems can no longer meet modern expectations for sustainability, resilience and liveability. The pressures of climate change, coupled with evolving social and economic needs, require a new way of thinking: one that views transport not as a standalone network, but as an integrated force shaping urban health, prosperity and environmental impact.
Mobility is central to the net zero transition, not a side issue. Transport contributes a major share of emissions, and because mobility infrastructure lasts for decades, today鈥檚 decisions can lock in carbon-intensive patterns far into the future.
As with many systems that look at the idea of 鈥榥et zero鈥�, this is not about saying that transport options that create emissions should no longer be part of the mix. It is about a balance 鈥� of emissions creation and removal, and of different ways people can choose to move around.
Net zero transport is not defined by a single technology or mode. It is the transformation of the entire mobility ecosystem. Key is aligning transport choices and policies with cleaner energy, development, digital innovation and more inclusive, human-centric streets. Through our vision (below) discover actionable ways cities can make changes to meet the mobility challenges of the future, through a particular lens of Middle Eastern transport systems.
Zero-emission mobility across all modes
Public and shared mobility prioritised over private cars
Integrated and smart digital mobility systems
Human-centric, inclusive and affordable mobility
Clean energy鈥損owered freight and logistics
What could 鈥渘et zero mobility鈥� mean in reality?
As we delve further into the 21st century, all systems within the built environment are being reassessed and transformed. Mobility systems play a decisive role in the global climate challenge. Transport accounted for . Taking action to reduce this percentage will require city leaders to rethink mobility as part of a broader urban transition. It presents an opportunity to create cleaner, more connected and more resilient cities.
Net zero transport is a whole-system shift, requiring cities to reshape demand, land use, public transport, active travel, digital integration and energy systems so that lower-carbon choices become practical, attractive and scalable.
Eliminating or offsetting transport-related greenhouse gas emissions
Transitioning from fossil fuels to clean energy
Shifting from private vehicle dependency to efficient, shared and public mobility systems
Integrating technology, policy and behavioural change
A net zero transport system can include low and zero-emission vehicles, prioritises accessible, high-quality public transport and integrates active modes such as walking and cycling. It can use renewable energy and encourage shared solutions over private car dependency.
Shifting how people and goods move is one of the fastest and most effective levers city leaders have to reduce emissions. And these decisions matter now 鈥� mobility patterns are reinforced by long-lasting infrastructure. Once highways, interchanges and car-oriented layouts are built, they 鈥� and their environmental impact 鈥� are locked in for decades.
The Middle East context 鈥� and challenges
For effective strategies to be implemented, it is important to understand local and regional contexts and challenges. The existing infrastructure and systems, local practices, physical geography and the climate are all factors that impact what can change 鈥� and how it will change successfully.
Middle Eastern cities face a distinct net zero mobility challenge. High car mode share, long average trip lengths, heat, car鈥憃riented land use and under鈥憉sed public and active mobility make the local starting point different from other regions.
Within Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states 鈥� and across the Middle East more widely 鈥� there is a move towards . This is within a region that was shaped in recent years by rapid growth and car-centric development. In broad strokes, there are several elements that drive emissions, lock in costs and undermine liveability. These are:
- High car use, demand and preference
- Junction congestion
- Low public transport modal share
- Poor bus priority
- Weak integration
- Oversupplied parking.
The UAE and Saudi Arabia are leading on commitments on emissions, climate and net zero. The UAE was among the first countries in the Middle East to commit to , alongside a strengthened 2030 target to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions (updated from an initial 23.5% under its Nationally Determined Contribution). And in Saudi Arabia, commitments have been made to 2060 under their Circular Carbon Economy approach.
There are now visible signs in shifting to a more varied mobility picture in those countries. Take the Riyadh Metro, a key part of the city鈥檚 transformation to a connected, intentional city. Opening in 2024, there are six lines covering 176 km (110 miles). There are also national rail programmes linking major cities ( ) and initiatives across major metropolitan areas.
Strategic approach to achieving net zero mobility
国产探花鈥檚 considered view is there are clear strategies that can be taken to work towards net zero mobility in the Middle East region. This strategic methodology can be understood as the following:
- Demand analysis. It is essential to understand why, when and how people travel
- Road network. Looking at the structures of how the road network is currently set up and finding opportunities to rebalance space from cars to people
- Junction typology. Reducing emissions at intersections
- Public transport. The shift to public transport is the backbone of net zero mobility
- Micromobility. Solving the 鈥榝irst and last mile鈥� puzzle through a variety of single-person vehicles e.g. bicycles or scooters
- Parking. Evolving parking structures can act as the hidden lever of mode shift.
Targeted interventions can unlock significant emissions reductions
Strategic, targeted interventions in key areas of the transport and mobility systems within the Middle East can have a clear, direct impact on emissions reductions. These include:
Managing demand and reducing vehicle travel (VKT reduction)
Encourage people to travel less by making cities more compact, using smart pricing (like congestion charges) and investing in public transport. This can cut urban transport CO2 emissions by about 20鈥�25%.
Shifting to public transport and active modes
Get more people to use buses, trains, walk or cycle instead of driving. This shift can reduce CO2 emissions by 18鈥�26% if there is strong public transport and cities are designed for short trips.
Smarter traffic signals (adaptive traffic signals)
Use technology to make traffic lights smarter, reducing stop-and-go traffic and congestion. This can lower emissions by 10鈥�15% on busy roads.
Prioritising public transport
Give buses and high-occupancy vehicles priority on the roads (such as dedicated lanes and priority at signals). This can cut corridor emissions by 15鈥�22% if enforced well.
Replacing short car trips with walking or cycling
Make it easier and safer for people to walk or bike for short trips (less than 5 km), which can reduce citywide CO2 emissions by 6鈥�10%.
Reforming parking pricing and supply
Charge for parking and reduce the number of free parking spaces to discourage unnecessary car use. This can reduce private vehicle travel by 6鈥�12%.
Note: These figures (CO2 reductions that interventions can achieve) are reference-based indicative estimates from 国产探花, derived by drawing from existing external literature and references.
There is now a credible vision for net zero mobility in the Middle East. With major investments in rail, public transport and cleaner technologies already underway, the challenge is turning ambition into integrated delivery 鈥� and this is where 国产探花 can help clients define priorities, test trade-offs and shape implementable pathways.
Appendix: methodology
The research undertaken by 国产探花 included desktop analysis and calculations of publicly available information worked out potential CO2 savings across key mobility interventions. Results and recommendations are qualitative/thematic and based on professional judgement.
Related content
How can intelligent movement design inform stadium upgrades in Germany?
Unlocking liveable cities: why mobility transformation is central to Saudi Arabia鈥檚 future
How integrated mobility can renew historic streetscapes
Reclaiming the streets: 国产探花 helps chart a new vision for Lower Manhattan聽
What is a mobility hub? A guide to futureproof urban mobility聽
