The Department for Transport has published a plan to decarbonise the entire transport system in the UK.
The 220-page Transport Decarbonisation Plan sets out a high-level multi-modal framework for the UK to meet its net zero ambitions, with plans to create ‘cleaner and quieter cities’ and ‘improve the way people and goods move around’ as ‘we build back better and greener’.
Most of the report reiterates existing policy measures, but these commitments are worth highlighting:
- 100% of the Government car and van fleet will be zero emission by 2027.
- Government has pledged to stimulate demand for zero emission trucks through financial and non-financial incentives.
- It will support efficiency improvements and emission reductions in the existing fleet and encourage modal shift of freight from road to more sustainable alternatives, such as rail and cargo bike.
- The Government will take action to increase average road vehicle occupancy by 2030.
- It will publish guidance for local authorities on support for shared car ownership.
- Supporting car clubs to go fully zero emission.
- Consulting on a Mobility as a Service Code of Practice.
- Reducing the barriers to data sharing across the transport sector.
- Exploring the introduction of a new sustainable travel reward scheme.
- Encourage and support UK businesses to lead the way in taking action to reduce emissions from their employees’ travel journeys through “Commute Zero”.
- Publish a Future of Transport: Rural Strategy.
- Publish a Local Authority Toolkit in 2021, providing sustainable transport guidance.
- Embed transport decarbonisation principles in spatial planning and across transport policymaking.
- Create at least one zero-emission transport city and four industrial ‘Super Places’.
- Develop a strategy for low carbon fuels, from now until 2050
- Explore hydrogen’s role in a decarbonised transport system, publishing a strategy in Summer 2021
BVRLA view
The BVRLA welcomes the publication of the Transport Decarbonisation Plan as this provides a clearer picture of where we are and where we need to get to on the road to net zero.
It is reassuring to see the plan acknowledge BVRLA key messaging around the vital role of the car for certain journeys and use cases. There is also a positive response to our requests for a clear delivery plan for meeting the phase out targets, providing a roadmap for HGVs and supporting the role that car clubs, ridesharing and mobility credit schemes can all play to reduce emissions on UK roads.
Read the press comment issued on 14 July: BVRLA response to Government’s transport decarbonisation ‘Greenprint’
