Like others, we are pleased to see another step forward in the Government’s commitment to deliver a Net Zero UK. The Transport Decarbonisation Plan and Aviation Consultation (Jet zero: our strategy for net zero aviation) have been long-awaited. The Jet zero: our strategy for net zero aviation consultation closes at 11:45pm on 8 September 2021. Click HERE to go to that consultation.
The commitment to phasing out the sale of diesel trucks by 2040 and Net Zero aviation by 2050 is good to see on paper at last. It is good to see proposals for a Zero Emission Vehicle mandate which is key to reducing emissions from UK transport. Also we look forward to seeing are the Government’s key roadmaps on heating, hydrogen, food and biomass. Surface transport is currently the largest emitting sector of the UK economy, making up 23% of total UK territorial emissions in 2019 or 113 MtCO2e. The Government’s Climate Change Committee say these emissions need to fall by 90% by 2050 to meet the economy-wide Net Zero target.
The Government have also published a green paper setting out the regulatory framework requiring vehicle manufacturers to improve the fuel efficiency of new cars, vans and HGVs, and a 2035 delivery plan, which brings together all of the measures for decarbonising cars and vans, from across government, into a single document.
Comment:
It appears that the decarbonisation plan does not address the problem of ‘induced’ traffic on roads. Whilst the government continue to spend billions of pounds on roads more vehicles will be induced to use those roads. Building more roads on a small island like Britain will never solve either the climate crisis or the need to provide efficient transport. We will be studying the Transport Decarbonisation Plan and work with our member organisations such as SCATE to try and get the Government to prioritise sustainable travel rather than just relying on electrifying vehicles.
It would seem you need some expert help on the aviation front with Gatwick threatening a second runway and the modernisation of airspace. CAGNE is the umbrella aviation community and environment group that is happy to help residents and your organisation. Growth at Gatwick will see greater damage to the planet and takes us further away from net zero.