Researchers at the Stockholm Environment Institute have put together a study, proposing how drastic cuts in carbon dioxide emissions from transport could be made.
Transport is obviously a major source of CO2 emissions (accounting for around 27 percent of the total) and one that is increasing faster than any other sector of the economy, with growing levels of car use, road freight and flying.
The report, entitled "Towards a Zero Carbon Vision for UK Transport",has shown how a phased programme of technological, financial and behavioural changes could secure a 100 percent cut in road and rail transport emissions; a 56 percent reduction in aviation emissions and 49 percent reduction in shipping emissions.
The resulting overall reduction for transport in the UK by 2050 is 76 percent by comparing a "Business as Usual" scenario following current trends with a radical "Maximum Impact (MI)" scenario, in which all feasible interventions for achieving a "near zero carbon" transport system are taken.
The authors of the report were keen to make sure that reductions were only included if there was already evidence available showing that they could be achieved -- largely through case studies from around the world.
The success of the proposed reduction depends largely on the decarbonisation of the UK electricity supply system (as envisaged by the Climate Change Committee) and a full conversion of all cars to electric vehicles (using said electricity).
Some of the key recommendations include: planning neighbourhoods and communities where it is possible to reach destinations on foot or by bike and public transport; the regionalisation of production and consumption to reduce road freight, and increases in the cost of transport.
The report is jam-packed with case studies from around the world where carbon-reducing initiatives have been implemented. For example, in Basel a high quality public transport and cycling system means that only 17 percent of all trips made are by car. Similarly, Copenhagen’s excellent cycle network means that 30 percent of all trips are undertaken by bike, compared with around 2 percent in UK cities (rising to five percent in London).
One of the most interesting proposals was to employ urban logistics similar to those used in German cities (basically transferring goods in city outskirts so that big lorries don’t travel into city centres). This has reduced the number of lorries in urban areas by 60 percent.
The research suggests that if the measures were implemented, there would be substantial economic benefits for individuals and businesses as well as a significant fall in road deaths and injuries. There would also be large reductions in noise and air pollution and dramatic changes in urban design and planning to provide substantially improved opportunities for walking, cycling and community cohesion.
Because of the emphasis on local community and local sourcing, there would be more social interaction. Cities would be more friendly and supportive of children and the elderly with calmer environments and even less crime, because more people walking would increase friendly “surveillance”.
This challenges preconceptions that a life with less transport would be one of poorer quality.
Professor John Whitelegg of the Stockholm Environment Institute and co-author of the study said: “This project marks a significant break with traditional thinking that regards transport as too hard to deal with when it comes to greenhouse gas reduction. We have shown that the potential is much greater than anyone previously thought and that reductions in emissions go hand in hand with improvements in air quality, health and economic success.
"People in 2050 won’t be living in caves and eating lentils with no light bulbs,” he added.
The authors are currently distributing the report to influencers in the Ministry of Transport, the Department of Energy and Climate Change, local governments, the transport industry and other stakeholders. The aim is to influence the policy process and inspire debate.