Climate Change Targets

Emissions of greenhouse gases declined in 2009 by 8.6 per cent compared to 2008 (which itself saw emissions fall by 1.9 per cent), but this, the Committee points out, is almost entirely due to a reduction in economic activity caused by the recession and higher energy prices rather than the result of the implementation of measures to reduce emissions. As the economy returns to growth, the risk is that emissions will increase, and that carbon budgets will not be achieved.

The key emission trends in relation to transport that are highlighted in the report are:

	% change in 2008	% change in 2009 (provisional)	2009 trajectory to achieve carbon Budget 1 (2008-12) (% change on 2007)	2009 outturn (% change on 2007)
Economy-wide GHG emissions	-1.9%	-8.6%
Of which road transport emissions	-3.4%	-3.9%	-2%	-7%
Car	-3.1%	-2.7%	-1%	-6%
Van	-2.9%	+0.3%	+2%	-3%
Hgv	-3.4%	-9.0%	-5%	-12%

In the Committee’s first progress report, published in 2009, it identified a framework of indicators to measure progress in reducing emissions and meeting future carbon budgets. These focus on vehicle fuel efficiency across the vehicle parc, increased use of biofuels, development of electric car technology and a suite of consumer behaviour changes. The Committee’s second report suggests that whilst biofuel uptake is broadly in line with the desired trajectory to meet the first carbon budget (three per cent penetration in 2009), overall vehicle fuel efficiency is not improving at the pace needed. It recommends:

strengthening incentives to influence car purchase behaviour through wider VED banding

financial support for the purchase of electric cars and the development of a national electric vehicle charging network

UK Government supporting the draft EU framework to introduce targets for new van emissions

Source: www.fta.co.uk

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