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Tag Archives: transport

What the UK can learn from Welsh transport strategy

Posted on 18 May, 2021 by Green Alliance blog Leave a comment

This post is by Jack Wilkinson-Dix, policy officer at the Energy Saving Trust.

Cutting the carbon emissions of transport, whether in Wales or the rest of the UK, will be a critical challenge in the coming years as the country transitions to net zero. The Welsh government recently published its transport strategy, Llwybr Newydd (New Path), which sets a strategic vision for transport decarbonisation to 2035. This is the culmination of years of engagement with Welsh stakeholders, including through a consultation which the Energy Saving Trust responded to in January 2021.

Low carbon future

Including flights abroad in the UK’s climate target is a huge step forward

Posted on 28 April, 2021 by Green Alliance blog One comment

This post is by Greg Archer and Matt Finch of Transport & Environment.

If holiday makers ignore the cost of flights they quickly max-out their credit cards and create a cash crisis. If countries omit their international aviation (and shipping) emissions from their national carbon budgets they run the risk of overshooting their climate targets and contribute to frying the planet. So the UK’s decision to include our international flights and shipping emissions in its sixth carbon budget is not just good accountancy, it is a huge step forward towards limiting these pernicious, invisible and, to date, largely unmanaged emissions.

Low carbon future

Is the promise of waste based aviation fuel sending us down a blind alley?

Posted on 15 April, 2021 by Green Alliance blog One comment

This post is by Cait Hewitt, deputy director of the Aviation Environment Federation.

Scientists in America have found a way to massively reduce emissions from flying by using a new fuel made from waste, a BBC news headlines announced on 15 March. It sounded like the kind of scientific breakthrough that almost everyone would want to see: tackling waste and reducing emissions while allowing people to carry on flying. In fact, the story went on to report, the new fuel can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 165 per cent suggesting that one way to lower emissions would be to fly more.

Low carbon future

A tale of two developments: why new planning reforms threaten to entrench unsustainable lifestyles

Posted on 13 April, 2021 by Green Alliance blog Leave a comment

This post is by Steve Chambers, sustainable transport campaigner at Transport for New Homes.

In 2018, Transport for New Homes produced an initial report that revealed the deep flaws in the planning system which leave new housing developments with inadequate walking, cycling and public transport connections to surrounding areas. With limited facilities locally, residents are, for the most part, forced into car dependency.

Low carbon future

Changing the way we do deliveries will be good for cities, businesses and people

Posted on 25 March, 2021 by Green Alliance blog One comment

This post is by Angela Hultberg, head of sustainable mobility at IKEA Retail (Ingka Group)

E-commerce is soaring. It already was pre-pandemic, and during 2020 it has risen to entirely new levels. Online shopping has the potential to be the more sustainable choice, avoiding emissions from going to the store, or even several stores. But is that potential realised today?

Low carbon future

A year on: is the government keeping its promise to radically shift the way we travel?

Posted on 17 March, 2021 by Caterina Brandmayr One comment

It’s been a year since the Department for Transport (DfT) published its transport policy paper. This set out the context for the government’s challenge to decarbonise the UK’s largest emitting sector, ahead of launching its Transport Decarbonisation Plan. At that time, many were pleasantly surprised (including Green Alliance) at the change in tone from a department that has traditionally been a climate laggard, and many hoped the promised plan would mark a pivotal moment.

Low carbon future

Phasing out cars with engines: without breaking the bank

Posted on 29 October, 2020 by Green Alliance blog 3 comments

This post is by Greg Archer, UK director of Transport & Environment

The announcement of when the UK should phase out the sale of new cars with engines is imminent and provoking fierce debate. Back in February, the government proposed that sales of new cars and vans with engines should end within 15 years at the latest. The maths was simple: to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, all vehicles with engines need to be off the road by then so the last new car with an engine should be sold by the early 2030s.

Air pollution

An electric moment: could we be seeing the early shoots of much greener transport?

Posted on 27 May, 2020 by Jo Furtado One comment

This post was first published in an essay collection called ‘Delivering net zero’ for think tank Bright Blue and WSP UK.

There is a pressing need to move fast in decarbonising our transport sector. Transport is the largest source of UK emissions, with cars alone contributing 15 per cent to the UK’s total carbon footprint, according to the Department of Transport. Read more

What the Heathrow ruling means for future government decisions with a climate impact

Posted on 19 March, 2020 by Green Alliance blog 2 comments

This post is by Katie de Kauwe, lawyer at Friends of the Earth.

The government’s policy giving the green light to Heathrow expansion and establishing the need for more airport capacity in the south east was ruled unlawful by the Court of Appeal on climate grounds last month. This ruling follows years of work by the legal team at Friends of the Earth (myself included), along with our external solicitors at Leigh Day, and barristers (David Wolfe QC at Matrix Chambers, Peter Lockley at 11KBW and Andrew Parkinson at Landmark Chambers). And, of course, the absolutely tireless work, campaigning and commitment from local residents who are the unsung heroes of the piece. Read more

Key points from the Committee on Climate Change’s report on the Clean Growth Strategy

Posted on 17 January, 2018 by Chaitanya Kumar One comment

The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) today published its analysis of the Clean Growth Strategy (CGS), the government’s blueprint for meeting the targets it is legally bound to achieve under the Climate Change Act.

The analysis highlights a worrying gap (of 10-65 MTCO2e) between the government’s existing policies and commitments and the requirements set under the fourth and fifth carbon budgets. To bridge this gap and minimise delivery risks, the CCC says, the government must urgently firm up the policies, proposals and intentions laid out in the Clean Growth