Decarbonising Transport - Setting the Challenge
The Department for Transport (DfT) has published a consultation about decarbonising transport. The plan sets out six priorities that the Government will be consulting on over the next 5-6 months, with a final report published this autumn.
Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Transport, said, “The scale of the challenge demands a step change in both the breadth and scale of ambition, and we have a duty to act quickly and decisively to reduce emissions.
“Through the Transport Decarbonisation Plan, 2020 will be the year we set out the policies and plans needed to tackle transport emissions. This document marks the start of this process. It gives a clear view of where we are today and the size of emissions reduction we need.”
The DfT’s six strategic priorities:
- Accelerating modal shift to public and active travel. Public transport and active travel will be the natural first choice for daily activities. We will use cars less and be able to rely on a convenient, cost-effective and coherent public transport network, while encouraging cycling and walking for short journey.
- Decarbonisation of road vehicles. Support the transition to zero emission road vehicles through: regulatory framework, strong consumer base, market conditions, vehicle supply, refuelling and recharging infrastructure, and energy system readiness.
- Decarbonising how we get our goods. Goods will be delivered through an integrated, efficient and sustainable delivery system, considering future demand and changing consumer behaviour for goods. Also, to transform ‘last-mile’ deliveries, optimise logistics efficiency and explore digitally-enabled solutions, data sharing and collaborative platforms.
- Place-based solutions. Clean, place-based solutions will meet the needs of local people. Consider where, how and why emissions occur in specific locations and address emissions at a local level through local management of transport solutions with targeted support.
- UK as a hub for green transport technology and innovation. The UK will be an internationally recognised leader in environmentally sustainable, low carbon technology and innovation in transport.
- Reducing carbon in a global economy. Lead the development of sustainable biofuels, hybrid and electric aircraft to lessen and remove the impact of aviation on the environment and by 2050, zero emission ships will be commonplace globally.
DfT intends to host a series of workshops aimed at engaging the transport sector to collaborate on “bold, ambitious and credible steps”, considering different technology, systems, policies and support mechanisms to achieve zero emissions by 2050.
Stakeholders and representatives of organisations can register their interest for one or more strategic priority workshop by emailing TDP@dft.gov.uk.
Businesses and individuals can share their views on what actions the Government should take in order to decarbonise transport or register to receive regular updates on the progress of the Transport Decarbonisation Plan and information about the consultation workshops by emailing TDP@dft.gov.uk Or if preferable, please contact DfT by post, by writing to Transport Decarbonisation Plan, Great Minster House, 33 Horseferry Rd, London, SW1P 4DR.