Future of transport considered

Its current reliance on fossil fuels makes transport a key sector for tackling carbon emissions - and efforts are well underway to reduce its impact.


Speaking at Sustainable Business – the Event Jonathan Murray of the government-funded Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP) said the Holy Grail for the sector is a transport strategy that meets current environmental constraints but is affordable in the current financial climate.

He referred to the assessment of the much-quoted Stern Report that addressing the problem now may be expensive, but leaving it until later will be far more costly.

“The investments we make in the next ten to 20 years will have a profound effect on the climate in the second half of this century and the next,” he said.

“The Stern report acknowledged that as a sector transport will be more costly and more difficult to secure reductions than in other parts of the economy.”

He stressed the need for changes in consumer behaviour, fleet development and renewable electricity sources to make these reductions and said that industry wants clear signals for government, with most businesses believing it’s important for Westminster to take the lead and develop the necessary strategies.

David Sheppard, deputy head of transport for the John Lewis Partnership, and Neil Griffiths, health & safety director for TNT, both gave case studies of how their companies were making efforts to cut their transport emissions.

Mr Sheppard’s presentation can be viewed below.

Sam Bond

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