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UK experts want tough CO2 transport targets |
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A vast majority of UK experts and consumers favours tougher EU emissions limits than currently proposed, as well as more environmental commitment from governments and the car industry, according to two recent surveys.
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2007-07-03
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Nearly 70% of experts on the automotive sector agree that the proposed EU target of 120 g/km CO2 emissions by 2012 is not tough enough. An overwhelming 97% is calling for EU-wide emission targets for new cars by 2020. The three most effective policies for cutting carbon emissions from road transport, according to stakeholders, are regulatory emissions targets for new cars (23%), tax schemes (19%), and incentives for low carbon vehicles (18%).
These are key results from the first wide-ranging survey among the members of the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP), including most of the leading motor and fuel companies as well as environmental groups, public authorities, academics, and consumer groups in the UK. 57% of the responses came from the car and fuel industry, 19% from non-governmental organizations and research institutes.
More commitment from the UK government urged
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Other key findings from the LowCVP survey:
- 92% call for sector-specific emissions target for road transport in the UK, in addition to carbon reduction targets for the country as a whole
- 68% think that the UK Department for Transport gives insufficient priority to the environment, and more than three thirds (76%) believe that the UK in general is an "average performer" at best and a "laggard" at worst in terms of initiatives to cut carbon from road transport
Given this overall consent, LowCVP Director Greg Archer commented: "This LowCVP survey is striking in terms of the high level of agreement amongst very diverse organisations on some of the key climate/transport issues. The results give a strong indication to policy makers of the type of policies favoured by stakeholder experts in this field."
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... while consumers demand greener cars
Only 34% of UK consumers think that the car industry is taking environmental concerns seriously. This has been indicated by a telephone survey for Times Newspapers which also found that 60% of respondents would like to link charges, such as parking fees, to a car’s emissions level.
The “Concerned Consumer” poll conducted by the prestigious research firm Populus for Times Newspapers questioned consumers who make decisions about purchases based upon social and environmental factors, not just price. Findings show that almost half the UK population are concerned consumers.
Background
The Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership was founded in 2003 to accelerate the shift to environmentally friendly vehicles. The partnership now comprises over 250 members from the private, non-governmental and governmental sector.
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More information:
 Key results LowCVP survey, June 2007 (939 KB)
Press Release LowCVP 28 June 2007 (69 KB)
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