CfIT recommends a mix of cost-effective measures to reduce transport's impact on the environment.
The Commission for Integrated Transport (CfIT), the Government's key transport advisor, has unveiled a major report on climate change and recommended a mix of practical, cost-effective measures to reduce transport's impact on the environment. The combined effect of CfIT's recommendations would be to reduce carbon emissions from UK transport by 2020 by 71% over current plans.
The report, Transport and Climate Change, recommends five packages of reinforcing measures across the transport sector, which by 2020 would see transport emissions fall against 1990 levels rather than stabilise at 2005 levels. The packages are:
- on vehicle emissions, the introduction of a mandatory EU target for new car sales to reduce CO2 emissions to 100 g/km by 2020. For the UK, this would amount to a reduction of 40% on current emissions1. The report recommends supplementary measures to complement manufacturers' efforts, such as building on the tax regime for private and company cars and further promoting the eco-labelling of cars and vans;
- on driving, a package to reinforce positive driver behaviour through a combination of measures to promote eco-driving techniques and greater adherence to 70 mph speed limits, as well as giving the planned Climate Change Committee a role in advising on the level of fuel duty;
- on travel behaviour, more intensive promotion of smarter choices to encourage use of public transport, walking and cycling, supported by improvements in the carbon performance of public transport;
- on freight, a package of best practice, regulatory and fiscal measures to reduce emissions from van and lorry fleets;
- the inclusion of aviation in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme and consideration of supplementary measures to secure and develop further the potential reduction in emissions from this sector.
Chair of CfIT's climate change working group, Michael Roberts, Director of Business Environment at the Confederation of British Industry, said: "This report stands out from others by focusing very much on the cost-effectiveness of measures to cut transport carbon emissions. Our knowledge in this area needs to improve as it is vital to identifying the best economy-wide approach to meeting the UK's reduction targets.
"It has long been recognised that we need to promote technological and behavioural change to secure reductions in transport emissions. This report emphasises the importance of bringing together measures aimed at achieving both. The Government's current approach already reflects this but could in our view be developed further to good effect.