The Eddington Study in 2006 showed the importance of mobility to business and the general public. Good transport systems are crucial to our economic prosperity and competitiveness, to our quality of life, and to the promotion of social inclusion.
The framework document Towards a Sustainable Transport System: Supporting Economic Growth in a Low-carbon World (TaSTS) published in October 2007 and the follow-up documents published on 1 July 2008 provide a wealth of analysis about the challenges and possibilities for reducing CO2 emissions in the transport sector. It also confirmed the Government’s ongoing commitment to tackling climate change as one of its top priorities.
UK is acting to tackle the climate change impacts of transport. In accordance with the principles set out in the groundbreaking work by Sir Nicholas Stern, our policies can be described broadly as:
• putting a price on carbon;
• developing low-carbon technologies;
• helping people make informed choices.
Professor King’s recommendations are consistent with this approach, but with a particular emphasis on technology and removing barriers to behaviour change.
She has made various recommendations aimed at driving technology change through EU legislation, and promoting the research, development or deployment of relevant technologies to reduce the impacts of vehicles throughout their lifecycle. UK is working on all these areas with a view to seeing a new car fleet average of 100 g CO2/km by 2020 – a target that will require deployment of a range of technologies such as all-electric and plug-in hybrid cars that hold the promise of ultra-low-carbon private transport. They have recently launched a Lowcarbon Transport Innovation Strategy (May 2007) backed by around £100 million of funding to ensure that UK businesses seize the opportunities offered by developing and exploiting new low-carbon technologies.
It is important that the actions Government takes to address climate change are achievable, affordable and consistent with economic growth, as well as being aligned with the principles of better regulation.
Much in Professor King’s Review acknowledges the work that has already been started by Government. However, the Review also sets Government further challenges, which will inform and guide future policy. The rest of this document sets out in more detail how the Government will work to ensure that the key findings of the King Review are integrated into the ambitious programme for a lowcarbon transport system.

By: UK Department of Transport

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