Invitation to take part in CENTS workshops: Material Requirements for Transport Technologies up to 2050

On behalf of the CENTS Network, we would be delighted if you could join us at our first roadmapping exercise. 

The Circular Economy Network+ in Transportation Systems (CENTS) is a research network for the sustainable transport community, with a focus on enabling regenerative resource cycles through circular economy principles. As part of a forward-looking strategy, CENTS is looking to actively engage leading industry, academic and policy experts to co-create strategic roadmaps. 

On 4th, 7th and 11th December from 12:00-15:00, we will be holding a series of 3 participatory workshops where you will be able to join like-minded peers in building momentum towards a circular economy enabled vision for low carbon transport in 2050. The priority areas explored in each workshop will be selected based on responses to our pre-workshop survey.

To inform our activities and register your interest to attend, please complete the pre-workshop survey below. 
Attendees will be selected to ensure a balance of perspectives and relevant expertise.

Scope
Transport systems, whether on road, rail, air or sea are material intensive and utilise a range of resources, primarily supplied from natural sources. Our global vision of low carbon transport introduces changes in technologies that have direct implications on the material requirements of transportation systems. The move towards electrified transport and the need to lightweight fleet but retain and increase performance is influencing the range of material needs. Our future transport systems will likely contain a different configuration of materials, in comparison to our existing ones. At the same time, current vehicles are coming to their end-of-life and it is important that resources are recovered and managed sustainably to allow the transition to low carbon transport.

Material demand for transport systems is expected to increase in the coming decades, which will put additional tensions to an existing challenging environment. Material supply is affected by multiple factors including market dynamics, resource nationalism, trade restrictions, technological barriers, environmental impacts, social issues, the pandemic and many more, which present a complex picture for the future of material availability. There is now more than ever the need to make better use of our resources, and the circular economy has a pivotal role to play in that.

The development of circular economy strategies that address material challenges are very important for the future of transport. Different material streams will require different strategies. Such strategies however cannot be formulated without a vision and clear goals about the role of circular economy to future material needs. The proposed roadmap is expected to explore different scenarios for material systems in transport to 2050.

Pre-workshop survey: Material Requirements for Transport Technologies up to 2050

The CENTS roadmapping activities will take place virtually, and the following survey represents an initial but key step in the co-creation process.

Using participant answers from the survey, we will refine the themes that will be explored during the roadmapping exercise in more detail.

We would therefore be grateful if you could provide your opinion in answers to the following three questions to enable us to guide our programme accordingly.

Question 1:  In your opinion, what should be the top priorities/drivers and focus of circular economy strategies to address resource security and sustainability with regards to transport systems?

Question 2: What do you consider key challenges/barriers (eg. supply, economics, environmental, technical) associated with material systems in transport and which may be impeding a move towards net zero carbon/circular economy?

Question 3: Are you aware of any current developments/opportunities that provide progress towards the priorities you have identified?