Urgent re-think needed on transport decarbonisation strategy

Greener Transport Solutions is calling for an urgent re-think on the UK’s transport decarbonisation strategy, arguing that technological solutions will be insufficient to hit net zero in the UK.  

Transport is the fastest growing source of global greenhouse gas emissions and biggest polluting sector of the UK economy. Transport emissions in the UK are only three per cent lower than they were in 1990. There is currently a disconnect between public support for tackling climate change, which is very high, and an understanding of the changes people need to make in their own lives, which is very low.

It is estimated that we must reduce traffic on our roads of approximately a quarter by 2030 to stay on track for net zero, with research for the Green Alliance showing that a reduction in car kms of 20-27 per cent by 2030 will be needed.

Greener Transport Solutions says that the government’s £27.4 billion road investment programme undermines the goal of achieving net zero for example, while the recent Levelling Up white paper made little reference to net zero.

Claire Haigh, founder & CEO of Greener Transport Solutions, said: “At a time of rising geopolitical uncertainty, insecurity of supplies, and escalating fuel and gas prices, it becomes more critical than ever to design policies in a way that avoids unintended consequences and ensures a fair and just transition to net zero.

“We need a massive shift to clean technologies, but we must also reduce energy demand. Energy demand reduction supports the three key goals of energy policy: security, affordability and sustainability. Our climate is heating up at great speed. We have less than a decade to get on track. We cannot rely on technological solutions alone. Traffic reduction will also play a critical role.”