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The combined effect of CfIT's recommendations, a mix of practical, cost-effective measures to reduce transport's impact on the environment, would be to reduce carbon emissions from UK transport by 2020 by 71 per cent 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.

On vehicle emissions, the report recommends 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 per cent on current emissions. Average CO2 emissions from new cars in the UK in 2006 were 167.2g/km. 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.

Eco-driving 

The report says that 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 is needed, as well as giving the planned Climate Change Committee a role in advising on the level of fuel duty.

"Eco-driving" is driving a vehicle in such a way that it has as little impact on the environment as possible. This can include, for example:

• adhering to speed limits
• accelerating gently, keeping speed constant and changing gear at the optimal time
• limiting air conditioning (estimated to add 10-14 per cent to fuel consumption)
• driving with windows closed and roof racks removed to reduce drag
• avoiding idling the engine
• not warming the engine up before starting off
• filling tyres to the optimum pressure
• keeping a safe distance from the car in front as sharp braking wastes fuel

It also recommends 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.

The Smarter Choices programme aims to encourage use of less carbon intensive alternatives to the car for passenger travel. These can include:

• destination-based measures to reduce car use (e.g. workplace or school travel plans);
• changing access to cars, e.g. car clubs and car-sharing schemes;
• action to increase individual awareness of alternatives to the car (e.g. public transport information and marketing, travel awareness campaigns and personalised marketing); and
• measures to reduce the need to travel (e.g. teleworking or home shopping).
  

Freight 

A package of best practice, regulatory and fiscal measures to reduce emissions from van and lorry fleets is among the proposals for freight, while the CfIT advises 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.

Emission Trading Schemes enable a country or group of countries or even regions/ states to cap carbon emissions at a certain level (this is known as cap and trade) and then issue permits to firms and industries that grant the firm the right to emit a stated amount of carbon dioxide over a time period. Firms can then trade these credits in a free market. The idea behind carbon trading is that firms that can reduce their emissions at a low cost will do so and then sell their credits on to firms that are unable to easily reduce emissions. A shortage of credits will drive up the price of credits and make it more profitable for firms to engage in carbon reduction. In this way the desired carbon reductions are met at the lowest cost possible to society.

Cost-effectiveness

Chair of CfIT's climate change working group, Michael Roberts, Director of Business Environment at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), 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."

"Our aim is to ensure that cost-effectiveness remains a touchstone for policy makers facing the difficult yet necessary choices about how best to reduce the impact of transport on climate change."

The Commission for Integrated Transport was set up by Government to provide it with independent advice on strategic transport policy issues.

Related links

• www.cfit.gov.uk
• Transport and Climate Change (full report)

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