DfT paper on decarbonising transport

The Department for Transport has published Decarbonising transport: setting the challenge. A paper that gives a clear view of where we are today and the size of emissions reduction needed to meet net zero in 2050.

The paper sets out the scale of the challenge by looking at the government’s aims and targets alongside the policy measures that are in place to address these targets. The document marks the beginning of a conversation to develop the policies needed to decarbonise transport.  

In the coming months the government wants to gather feedback from a wide range of stakeholders via a series of events and workshops as it develops the first comprehensive action plan for decarbonising transport. This will set out how government intends to transform the movement of people, goods and services to reach net zero using the following six strategic priorities:  

1.  Accelerating modal shift to public and active transport 

2.  Decarbonisation of road vehicles 

3.  Decarbonising how we get our goods 

4.  Place-based solutions 

5.  UK as a hub for green transport technology and innovation 

6.  Reducing carbon in a global economy. 

The government will also look to develop a universally recognised measure so that in future, people can easily compare how much CO2 different forms of transport emit over a certain distance. 

The BVRLA is having discussions with government about how it can feed into this process and the best timing for doing so. The plan is due to be published in the autumn ahead of the COP26 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November 2020. 

If you would like to be involved or would like any further information, contact Senior Policy Adviser Catherine Bowen