The way we transport ourselves and our freight around the economy has a key role to play if we are to make significant reductions in our overall carbon emissions. But the challenge is sizeable.
It will not only require a change to the technology and infrastructure that we have known and used for years, but will require a fundamental change in behavior.
Here in the UK, transport currently contributes to 24% of carbon emissions. By 2020 we need to substantially reduce this footprint, on the path to almost total decarbonisation by 2050.
Achieving this will require a sustained focus on delivering ultra low-carbon transport for the roads – which account for over 90% of our emissions. The transport sector already accounts for nearly a quarter of global CO² emissions from fuel combustion and this is growing.
To meet our long-term carbon reduction targets we will need alternative engines, plug-in hybrids and fully electric cars and vans to be commonly available by 2022.
In April 2009 the CBI set out the steps to be taken between now and 2020 in power, transport, buildings and industry to ensure the UK’s carbon emissions targets are met. The roadmaps, called‘Going the Distance' lay out a timetable for government action. Read our ideas from our transport roadmap.
Watch Joe Greenwell, chairman of Ford Britain, speak about how the UK can become a world leader in low-carbon vehicle technology: