Surface Transport

Road transport CO2 levels are set to increase, with efficiency gains in vehicles offset by people purchasing larger vehicles and driving more.

The need for lower carbon vehicles and fuels
The current incentives to encourage people to purchase more fuel efficient private vehicles are limited.

There are currently minimal differences between vehicle excise duty bands. In the SDC response to the Climate Change Programme highlighted the need for a new top VED band of �1800 for vehicles emitting 221 g / CO2 / km or greater and there would be a �300 gap between existing bands. We believe that this policy would dramatically improve the market demand for highly fuel efficient vehicles.

� Climate Change Programme Review - SDC Submission
� VED Modelling - Technical Backup

Biofuels have been identified as a potential means of reducing carbon emissions, the SDC published their advice to the Department for Transport in June 2006.

� A short summary of our position on Biofuels (updated in May 2008)

The need for more sustainable transport choices
Sustainable transport choices include reducing the length of journeys which can facilitate the use of more sustainable modes including walk and cycle and removing the need to travel for example the use of trip combining and IT measures.

Research for the DfT suggested that under a high intensity scenario of Sustainable Travel measures (entitled Smarter Choices) traffic could be reduced by 11%. This would have extensive benefits in terms of congestion and carbon reduction and health benefits including increased exercise levels through people walking and cycling more. In our response to the CCPR we advocated the need for increased uptake of Smarter Choice measures.
� DFT - Smarter Choices paper

Walking and cycling are good for our health, good getting us around, good for our public spaces and good for our society. For all these reasons we need to persuade more people to choose to walk and cycle more often. - Dr Kim Howells MP

Research Papers:

The potential for high speed rail in the UK and an assessment of its environmental benefits - Capita Symonds
This report was produced in response to SDC�s request to assess the potential for the introduction of high speed rail in UK and examine the environmental benefits.