Policy Developments
Department for Transport publishes a framework for delivering low carbon transport system
The Department for Transport proposes, for the first time, to set explicit goals for delivering both CO2 reduction and economic growth from the transport sector. In a document responding to the Stern Review and the Eddington Transport Study, the Department says that these twin objectives are 'both essential and mutually consistent'.
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European Parliament votes for delay in 2012 new car CO2 target
The European Parliament has voted for an amendment to the European Commission's original proposals to delay the target date for intoducing average new car CO2 limits by 3 years. The Parliament adopted the Environment Committee report calling for legislation to cap average emissions from all new passenger cars at 125g CO2/km as of 2015.
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EU Environment Commissioner calls for action on car advertising
Stavros Dimas, the EU's Environment Commissioner, has called for action to curb road transport CO2 emissions to be stepped up. Speaking in Brussels, Mr Dimas said he is 'very disappointed that manufacturers have not replied so far to the Commission's invitation to sign a code of good practice on sustainable advertising'. One EU member state, however, is already introducing stringent advertising controls.
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Government announces Pre-Budget Report and Comprehensive Spending Review
The Government's Pre-Budget Report announced the publication of the King Review interim report on de-carbonising road transport but includes few new measures relating to low carbon road transport. Meanwhile, the Comprehensive Spending Review, announced alongside the PBR confirms a 2.25% annual real increase in the DfT's budget, a reduced rate of increase compared with the last decade.
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Survey finds public support for many Conservative environment proposals
A survey by Ipsos MORI has found significant levels of public support for many of the environmental proposals put forward by the Conservative Party's Quality of Life Report. Nearly two-thirds of respondents supported the idea of a 'feebate' system: higher taxes for high carbon cars offsetting lower taxes for more efficent vehicles.
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Reports & Studies
New study says EU must stick to tough car limits or sacrifice 2020 aims
A new study by German researchers commissioned by the Greens/European Free Alliance Group in the European Parliament concludes that only with strict limit values for passenger cars will the EU be able to meet its overall CO2 reduction target. It also argues that the so-called ‘integrated approach’, being promoted by the car industry, cannot work.
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Government publishes King Review interim report
The Government has published the interim analytical report of the King Review on de-carbonising road transport. The Review, which was issued alongside the Pre-Budget Report, says that vehicle technology exists that can deliver CO2 reductions of 30% compared with current equivalent models and that these could be standard within 5-10 years.
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UK Motor Industry - Eighth Sustainability Report Published
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders' (SMMT) 8th annual Sustainability Report highlights areas in which the UK Motor Industry has made progress in its environmental performance over a number of years. The 2007 report points to progress since 2002 in average new car CO2 emissions as well as well as in the amounts of pollution and waste resulting from the production process.
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New research predicts continuing rise in CO2 emissions from freight
A report for the Commission for Integrated Transport (CfIT) says that CO2 emissions from freight transport in the UK are likely to continue rising over the next ten years. The Heriot Watt University report was prepared to provide input to the CfIT's broader report on transport and CO2. It aims to shed more light on the subject of freight-related emissions which have received less attention than emissions from car traffic and aviation.
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European CO2 targets 'realistic' - new report
A new report by a Cardiff University group says that meeting the EU's proposed 130g/km target by 2012 is achievable. The conclusion of the report says that the industry has had sufficient preparation time since it has known that a reduction of this order was expected at least since 1998 when the Voluntary Agreements were concluded.
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Technology News
EU proposes to fund hydrogen vehicle development
The European Union has proposed a project worth up to €1 billion to fund development of hydrogen-powered cars. The EU says that it is pursuing the hydrogen option as it has the potential to cut pollution and improve energy security.
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LowCVP News
LowCVP Director appointed to board of new Renewable Fuels Agency
The Department for Transport has announced appointments to the board of the Renewable Fuels Agency. The Agency came into existence with the passing of the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO)Order this month (October). The appointees will advise the Government on the establishment and strategic direction of the new Agency which has been set up to administer the RTFO. Greg Archer, the LowCVP Director, is amongst the appointees.
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International Developments
EC cuts back aid to biofuel crop growers
The European Commission has announced that a farm aid scheme aimed at developing Europe's energy crop sector will be scaled back after it transpired that farmers have already overshot the two million hectare target.
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French car industry breaks ranks on EU CO2 targets
The CCFA, France's motor industry trade body - the equivalent of the UK's SMMT - says that French car makers are ahead in the race to reduce CO2 emissions and that it does not support proposals to differentiate 2012 CO2 emissions targets on the basis of vehicle weight or other factors.
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Climate Change News
Researchers say oceans absorbing less CO2
The results of a 10-year study suggest that the oceans are absorbing less CO2 and may be becoming less effective as carbon 'sinks'. These findings, by scientists at the University of East Anglia, compound the problems identified in other research which shows that global CO2 emissions have accelerated in this decade and that CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere are also rising more quickly than previously thought.
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Other News
Dedicated car sharing lane to open near Leeds
Work has begun on a scheme between Bradford and Leeds to create the UK's first motorway car share lane. The 1.7 mile High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane is expected to cost around £4m and will link two busy motorways in a bid to ease congestion. Meanwhile, Liftshare - the successful web-based travel sharing initiative - has ramped up and rebranded its operations.
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Al Gore wins Nobel Prize as 'Inconvenient Truth' is dealt court blow
Al Gore and the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have been jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their work in raising and disseminating knowledge about man-made climate change. The award came shortly after a UK High Court Judge ruled that Gore's climate change film - An Inconvenient Truth - contains nine scientific 'errors'.
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Motor industry says congestion charge proposals will do little for carbon or congestion
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has called for an extension to the London Mayor's consultation on proposed changes to the congestion charge because of the complexity of the proposed scheme. In its initial response to the consultation, the Society says that Transport for London's current proposals will neither significantly cut CO2 nor reduce congestion in London.
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