Policy Developments
Spain looks for deal on vans CO2 by June while EC wants progress on lorry standards
Spain has targeted agreement on van CO2 as a priority of its EU presidency. The Euopean Commission also aims to make progress on truck emissions and traffic management measures such as road pricing to help cut greenhouse emissions. The aims are set out in a provisional agenda for EU meetings during Spain's leadership.
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Reports & Studies
New report says better use of information technology could transform lives and reduce travel
A report by the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) looks at how Information Communications Technology (ICT) could transform the way we choose to travel, and so make both our travel and our lifestyles more sustainable. It concludes that a concerted Government and business focus on ICT solutions could help provide answers to some of our most pressing transport problems.
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Government study highlights benefits of use of waste products to make biofuel
Producing biofuels from waste, by-products and residues with no other end market will lead to greater reductions in greenhouse gas emissions than most current biofuels, according to a report commissioned by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and the Renewable Fuels Agency (RFA).
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LowCVP webinar presents results of survey into accessibility of CO2 information on car makers' websites
A new study into the presentation of CO2-related information on car makers' websites finds that, on average, only 52% of participants’ attempts are successful in finding the official CO2 rating for a particular car. Even in cases where users are able to retrieve a CO2 value for a particular model, only 68% of these are correct. The survey was commissioned by the Energy Saving Trust, FoE Europe and We are Futureproof. The results of the survey were presented in a LowCVP webinar.
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New DfT report finds most people think individuals should try to limit car use to benefit environment
A new DfT report on public attitudes to climate change in the context of transport finds that a majority of respondents from amongst the general public understand that transport emissions contribute to climate change and that a majority believe that individuals should try to limit their car use to benefit the environment.
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Oxford Univ study presents 'roadmap to greener transport'
A new report by the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment at Oxford University suggests that we should not rely on manufacturers producing hydrogen or battery-powered vehicles in the next decade but that the best way to cut emissions in the short-term is a ‘drastic downscaling of both size and weight’ of conventional petrol and diesel cars.
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Ensus study looks at biofuels production impact on land use
A report by biofuels producer Ensus Ltd has concluded that for EU cereals production, about three quarters of incremental output growth will be delivered by yield growth, with the remainder being met by crop area growth.
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Technology News
Technology Strategy Board to invest £12m to help develop low carbon technology for road vehicles
The Technology Strategy Board (TSB) has £12m of Government funding which it will invest in new technology to speed up the reduction of CO2 emissions from road vehicles. The investment will be made in sixteen proof-of-concept studies lasting up to one year and six longer-running full research and development projects.
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New fuel system claims savings in fuel use and reduced emissions for commercial vehicles
Engineering company Dieselogik says it has new technology which can cut fuel consumption and emissions. Developed in the USA, the system works by heating the fuel flow to the engine and does not use additives.
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Industry News
Average new car emissions fell 3.3% in 2008
Official figures published by the European Commission show that average emissions from new passenger cars fell by 3.3% to 153.5g CO2/km in 2008. This is the largest annual fall since monitoring began and confirms unofficial results which were published earlier.
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LowCVP News
'Open space' invitation to LowCVP members
LowCVP members are reminded that they are invited to submit ideas for short articles to appear in the LowCVP's monthly newsletter and appear on an 'open space' section on the website. Articles should be original, not overtly commercial and of interest to the over 2,000 stakeholders who now receive the newsletter.
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International Developments
Australia follows UK lead in publishing new vehicle CO2 emissions data
Australia has published its first full report on new passenger vehicle CO2 emissions following the example of data published in the UK. Australia's National Transport Commission identified the data gap which it says was inhibiting the Government's ability to form effective policy. The report, unlike its UK counterpart, publishes emissions data for each individual car brand.
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Oil demand has peaked in developed world says IEA
The International Energy Agency's Chief Economist, Faith Birol, says that oil use in the developed, industrialized countries peaked in 2006-7 and will never return to those levels because of greater fuel efficiency and the use of alternatives. Ms Birol made the statement to journalists. The forecast is significant as the IEA advises 28 countries on energy policy and its forecasts are closely watched by the markets.
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Events
base 2010 - Business and a Sustainable Environment - March 16-17.
16th Mar 2010
The LowCVP is organising one of the conference modules within a major new event focused on sustainable business - Business and a Sustainable Environment; base 2010 - which runs from March 16-17 at ExCel London. The seminar, which will focus on the practical applications for electric vehicles, takes place during the morning of March 17.
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'Vans and CO2' - LowCVP webinar recording now available to view on-line
The LowCVP hosted a webinar on 14 January to discuss the reduction of CO2 emissions from light commercial vehicles and vans. A full recording of the webinar is now available and can be downloaded from the LowCVP website through the associated link.
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IMechE - Intelligent Transport Systems: Lean, Clean and Efficient Transport
15th Apr 2010
The Institute of Mechanical Engineers will host a conference on 15 April which will focus on Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) aimed at combining information and communications technology with transport infrastructure and vehicles in order to improve safety, ease flows of traffic, reduce fuel consumption and vehicle wear.
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Sustainabilitylive! including LowCVP Green Transport Seminar and Exhibition, 20-22 April, 2010
20th Apr 2010
The LowCVP is to run a one-day programme of free seminars on 20 April at the 2010 Sustainabilitylive! Exhibition which runs from 20 to 22 April 2010 at the NEC in Birmingham. Sustainabilitylive! is host to five leading environmental exhibitions which attracted over 7,000 visitors to the NEC in 2009.
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IMechE Biofuels for Future Transport & Mobility
20th Sep 2007
An event examining the business case drivers, investment decisions and key subject areas surrounding the choices and technologies related to biofuels for future transport and mobility.
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Driving Towards a Greener Wales
17th Mar 2010
The new low carbon vehicle cluster will hold its first event, Driving towards a Greener Wales, at the Cardiff City Stadium and provide the first opportunity for cutting edge technology companies in Wales to meet counterparts from the rest of Britain.
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Action Aid: Big Biofuel Debate
16th Feb 2010
Action Aid's debate will bring together scientists, academics, journalists, politicians, influential thinkers and bloggers to battle over biofuels. The event will be chaired by Ben Webster, Environment Editor at The Times.
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Ecoshow UK; Promoting sustainable living - towards a greener lifestyle
8th May 2010
Ecoshow uk will offer individuals, couples, families and small businesses an opportunity to meet, talk with and learn from suppliers of products and services that will help achieve a more sustainable lifestyle.
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