Government urged to revise eco-policies
- Key advisor sets out five-point plan
- It says proposals are 71% better at cutting CO2
- Focus is on technological and behavioural change
A key advisor on transport policy has urged the Government to adopt revised plans to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
In a study called 'Transport and Climate Change', the Commission for Integrated Transport (CfIT) has set out a five-point plan which it says will reduce emissions to 1990 levels.
It says the proposals would be 71% more effective than current initiatives in place to reduce transport's emissions by 2020.
The proposals
• As reported yesterday, the CfiT wants the introduction of a mandatory EU target for new car sales to reduce average carbon dioxide emissions to 100g/km by 2020.
The average carbon dioxide output of new cars in the UK in 2006 was 167.2g/km, so the new level marks a 40% reduction.
However, in addition, it recommends building on car manufacturers' own initiatives by extending tax incentives to encourage greener private and company car buying, and further promoting eco-labelling on cars and vans.
• Better promotion of environmental driving techniques, with an emphasis on adherence to 70mph speed limits, which estimates suggest would save 1.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.
• More promotion of alternatives to cars, such as the use of public transport, walking and cycling, supported by efficiency improvements to reduce emissions from public transport.
• Regulatory measures and financial incentives to ensure vans and lorries are as efficient as possible.
• Improvements to aviation fleets to lower emissions.
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