Policy Developments
Tories announce plans for 'energy revolution' including street-side recharging
The Conservatives have announced a strategy for what they describe as an "energy revolution", including plans for low carbon transport, buildings and commerce. In a separate announcement the party has reshuffled its front-bench team with Ken Clarke becoming the Shadow Business Secretary and Nick Herbert appointed to the Shadow Environment portfolio.
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European industry ministers in crisis meeting over future of motor industry
European industry ministers have held an extraordinary meeting to discuss the downturn in the automotive sector and approaches for its support. Ministers expressed “deep concern” at the state of the industry but said they believe "the primary responsibility to respond to these challenges rests with industry itself”.
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DfT revises guidance on display of CO2 information in car advertising
The Department for Transport (DfT) has revised its guidelines for advertisers on the display of CO2 emissions and fuel economy information on outdoor advertising. The information, the guidance states, must be 'easily legible by a person standing on the opposite side of the road', albeit not necessarily visible to a passing vehicle.
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President Obama sets out plans to tackle climate, orders improved car efficiency standards
Barack Obama, the new US President, has signed two executive orders intended to improve the environmental performance of the US' road sector. The first raises federal car and light truck fuel efficiency standards and the second orders the Environmental Protection Agency to reconsider its refusal to allow California and other states to impose their own stricter controls on vehicle emissions.
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Government announces £250m funding for low carbon vehicles as it approves Heathrow expansion
The Government has announced a commitment to spend £250m on a wide-ranging package of measures to promote ultra-low emission cars. The move was announced alongside the decision to grant approval for the expansion of Heathrow Airport.
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Biofuels target revised to 5% of road transport fuel by 2013-14
The Transport Minister, Lord Adonis, has announced that the target for biofuels use in road transport fuels will be 5% in 2013-14, following a consultation based on the recommendations of the Gallagher Report into the indirect effects of biofuels production. The Government has, however, slightly lifted the earlier 3% limit for 2009-10 to 3.25%.
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Reports & Studies
EEA urges policy makers to change attitudes on mobility management
The European Environment Agency (EEA) says in a new report that decision-makers need to rethink approaches to transport policy to pay greater regard to environmental consequences.
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Technology News
Biofuels sustainability below target - Renewable Fuels Agency report
The Renewable Fuel Agency's (RFA) second quarterly report shows that, overall, 20% of biofuel is meeting the Government's target for sustainability - below the 30% target for 2008/9. Provisional data for the first 6 months of the year shows that ConocoPhillips, Greenergy and Mabanaft are exceeding the Government's targets but that several companies are selling product that is well below them.
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Government sponsored body announces biggest ever public funding of bioenergy research
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is to introduce a £27m academic-industry partnership which is intended to help deliver progress in the bioenergy sector. One of the main aims of the BBSRC Sustainable Bioenergy Centre will be to provide the science to underpin the development of sustainable biofuels for transport.
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Technology Strategy Board launches £10m competition for electric vehicle research
The Technology Strategy Board has announced a £10m competition to encourage research into technology which could make the introduction of electric cars more affordable. The funding is intended for business led collaborative research and development of all-electric and hybrid vehicles suitable for mass market applications.
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Industry News
Detroit Motor Show takes place at turning point for motor industry
One of the World's biggest Motor Shows took place in Detroit in January against the challenging backdrop of the most severe downturn to face the industry in decades and unprecedented pressures on the industry to get 'greener'.
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Exxon changes its tune on climate change
Exxon, the World's biggest oil company, has indicated its support for a carbon tax in what appears to be an about-turn in the company's approach to climate change. For a long time, Exxon has been known for its sceptical stance to the science of climate change.
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LowCVP News
LowCVP conference date to change following postponement of Sexy Green Motor Show
The LowCVP's annual conference which had been planned for April 30th will now take place later in the year following the postponement until 2010 of the Sexy Green Motor Show. The LowCVP event had been scheduled to take place at the ExCel Centre in London on the preview day of the 'Sexy Green' Show.
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LowCVP e-Newsletter survey results
Nearly 230 readers responded to the LowCVP's December survey of attitudes towards the e-Newsletter. More than half (56%) of respondents said they find the e-Newsletter either 'extremely' or 'very useful' while a further 34% described it as 'quite useful'.
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LowCVP brings stakeholders together to discuss how to 'green' car ads
The LowCVP has brought key stakeholders together to discuss the use of 'green' messaging in car advertising. The event, held at the SMMT, brought together the motor industry with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), the advertising industry body (ISBA), Defra and the DfT's Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) as well as representatives of environmental groups.
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International Developments
International transport ministers agree sector must carry weight in fight on climate change
An international meeting of transport ministers from 21 major countries was convened in Tokyo to discuss options for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from the transport sector. The meeting, which was the first of its kind, ended with the message that the transport sector must carry its weight in the fight against climate change.
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Plans for electric vehicle recharging network in Denmark announced
The US electric vehicle start-up company, Better Place, and Danish utility operator DONG Energy have announced plans to build an electric charging network in Denmark to enable motorists to switch to electric cars.
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Other News
New 'Act on CO2' web tool provides information on CO2 and cost savings
The Department for Transport has introduced a new car search tool, now live on the ACT ON CO2 campaign site, which enables a make & model search of new cars to compare the CO2 emissions and annual running costs.
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Events
Transport Technology and Climate Change - Building a Greener Scotland
16th Feb 2009
The Scottish Government has set ambitious targets for a greener Scotland in which transport has a critical role to play. This conference will examine the implications of climate change for transport, including emerging technologies, procurement and behavioural change.
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PACTS conference - Safety and Sustainability: Developing a Seamless Approach
11th Mar 2009
This conference - organised by the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) - will explore the opportunities to make safety and sustainability complementary approaches. For example: how can we create environments that will encourage people to walk and cycle? Can business travel become both safe and sustainable? Can we identify the policy trade-offs needed to decide which should take priority?
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World Biofuels Markets Congress, 16-18 March, 2009
16th Mar 2009
The World Biofuels Market Congress, which takes place from 16-18 March, 2009, in Brussels is a leading international event for commercial and other stakeholders in the biofuels industry.
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