---
title: Peter Weldon
url: "https://www.systra.com/ireland/careers/our-colleagues/peter-weldon/"
type: page
date_published: 2023-10-05
date_modified: 2025-03-18
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language: en-IE
word_count: 1181
reading_time: 6 min
canonical: "https://www.systra.com/ireland/careers/our-colleagues/peter-weldon/"
featured_image: "https://www.systra.com/ireland/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2023/05/personal-story-website-header.jpg"
---

# Peter Weldon

![Peter Weldon](https://www.systra.com/ireland/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2023/05/personal-story-website-header.jpg)

![Peter Weldon Career Profile photo](https://www.systra.com/ireland/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2023/10/peter-weldon-career-profile-picture-300x300.png)

**Role**: Director (Net Zero Transport)

**Career Area**: Environment and Sustainability

**Location**: Dublin

###### My role at SYSTRA

My role as Director for Net Zero Transport involves a mixture of delivering
projects in the transport decarbonisation space, and developing SYSTRA’s
business in the transport decarbonisation market.

Transport decarbonisation interacts with all areas of SYSTRA’s business
activities, and as such I work across teams to contribute to projects and
opportunities focused on net zero transport, with a core focus on Transport
Planning and on developing strategies and pathways for transport
decarbonisation.

My day-to-day role involves contributing to project delivery, business
development, developing proposals and client engagement. My projects typically
involve a combination of quantitative and qualitative research and analysis;
strategy planning and development; policy development and analysis; project and
programme management; stakeholder engagement; and market research and analysis.

###### My career journey

My involvement and interest in the transport decarbonisation market began with
my PhD research, which was funded by a pan-European project focused on
facilitating the deployment of electric vehicles throughout Europe, and
developing a policy framework for electric vehicles within Europe. Following my
research, I joined Transport for London where I was lucky enough to continue in
the same field (often a rarity for PhD research!), focusing on deployment of
electric vehicles and charging infrastructure throughout London.

I then joined the world of consultancy where I broadened out into wider
transport decarbonisation, contributing to projects for other transport modes
and other alternative fuel types, whilst maintaining strong skills in
electrification of transport. I joined SYSTRA in 2023 following stints in two
other consultancies, leveraging an opportunity to join an organisation with
significant and reputable expertise in the transport market and an extensive
existing portfolio of projects in the transport decarbonisation space.

###### We asked Peter…

###### When did you realise this was the career path for you?

My career path is a combination of personal interests and timing. I was always
interested in engineering due to a numbers-focused and analytical mindset
(likely helped by a childhood obsession with Lego). Having studied Civil,
Structural and Environmental Engineering, I was faced with a choice after my
undergraduate on which strand of engineering to focus on. I ultimately decided I
was most interested in environmental engineering due to the positive societal
impacts associated with working within this field.

Shortly after completing my undergraduate degree, I was offered a postgraduate
research role within the electric vehicle market. I accepted the position as it
aligned very well with my career objectives. My interest and enthusiasm for the
market has only grown since then, and it has been fascinating to see the market
expand since its early stages.

###### Have you got any words of wisdom for someone starting out in a similar role?

In the context of the transport decarbonisation market, I would suggest being
proactive in your curiosity. There are many different facets to explore to
decarbonise the transport sector, and it is a dynamic and fast-paced industry
for many different reasons (be they political, technological or societal,
amongst many others). Exploring different elements of the market can pique your
interest in different ways and subsequently open you up to new opportunities.

###### How does SYSTRA stand out from the rest as a great place to work?

The breadth of work covered by SYSTRA’s projects, and the interaction between
different business and market areas, make it a dynamic and rewarding place to
work with excellent and highly skilled colleagues to work alongside every step
of the way.

Additionally, working in the transport decarbonisation space within SYSTRA is
very satisfying, knowing that each project we undertake is contributing in some
way to the ultimate decarbonisation of the transport sector.

###### With such power in diversity, what unique perspective do you bring to the table?

I began my career working in academia, followed by moving into the public sector
within Transport for London and then the private sector within consultancy. As
such, I have gained a unique understanding of the net zero and sustainable
transport landscape, understanding the pressures, priorities, nuances and inner
workings of each of these sectors.

Additionally, I have been involved in electric vehicles and charging
infrastructure from a time when there were only two electric vehicles and three
charge points deployed (maybe an exaggeration…!), so it has been fascinating to
see how the market has evolved from this early stage, and to be involved in
developments which are facilitating the market’s growth.

###### Where is the place that has inspired you the most?

It seems strange to say London considering I lived there for seven years, but I
have always found the city fascinating in terms of how it fits together and how
people get around, which never gets old. Aside from London, I’ve always found
Barcelona very inspiring from an urban planning perspective.

###### What does true sustainability really mean to you?

True sustainability means factoring sustainability into everything we do. Even
within the concept of “sustainable transport”, I am an advocate for not
separating the “sustainable” from the “transport” – rather we should be ensuring
that all transport has sustainability at its core. The same concept applies to
all aspects of society, with everyone playing their part, no matter how small a
role.

###### What would a 󠀁_green future_󠁿 look like?

A green future means achieving our net zero ambitions, but doing so in an
equitable and fair way that leaves nobody behind, in the context of a ‘just
transition’. The move to net zero has the potential to unfairly disadvantage
those most impacted by the transition, and as such, all policies and schemes
should be designed with a focus on equity, with the ultimate aim of contributing
to a truly green future.

###### How do you look after your wellbeing outside of work?

I am a big fitness fan, with strength training typically being my go-to. I also
enjoy going for walks to take a break, and I’m frequently trying to get my
10,000 steps in (with the _Move_ app making this a bit obsessive!). I also enjoy
spending time with my partner, friends and family, and I always try to travel as
much as possible to explore new cities.

###### If you could spend your lunchbreak with someone you really admire, who would you choose?

Yotam Ottolenghi, mainly because it’s sure to be a delicious lunch!

###### If you had to pick, which mode of transport would you use for the rest of your life?

Following my move back to Dublin, I have tried to prioritise cycling as my
choice mode of transport due to its efficiency and health benefits, and also the
increasingly good cycling infrastructure in Dublin – though the weather in
Ireland means it’s not always the most pleasant mode of transport to choose. So
in that respect, I would say cycling when it’s sunny, and using rail when it’s
hammering down with rain!

[See all interviews](https://www.systra.com/ireland/en/careers/our-professions/)