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Documents to Consider
Documents to Consider
Department of Transport, March 2020
Executive Summary by Paul Humphreys, Transport Group
The Department for Transport (DfT) has published a Consultation paper on the future of UK transport, that calls for a major shift away from cars to cycling, walking and buses, as well as using vehicles differently. This consultation will result in a Transport Decarbonisation Plan (TDP), that will be published later in Autumn 2020. The overall approach is encouraging and ECO Action Network supports the initiative.
The scope is to create a credible implementation plan that puts the UK’s entire transport system on a pathway to deliver the necessary reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
The general approach seems to be in line with the notion of Avoid/Shift/Improve that is used in other similar research.
So in aiming to achieve carbon budgets and net zero emissions, across every single mode of transport by 2050, there are six strategic priorities:
Open consultation by Department for Transport, Office for Low Emission Vehicles, February 2020
On 4 February 2020, the Prime Minister announced that government is consulting on bringing forward the end to the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2040 to 2035, or earlier if a faster transition appears feasible, as well as including hybrids for the first time. This reflects the Independent Committee on Climate Change’s advice on what is needed in order for the UK to end its contribution to climate change by 2050. The proposals relate to new cars and vans – owners of existing petrol, diesel and hybrid cars and vans will still be able to use these vehicles and buy and sell them on the used market.
We welcome the submission of the public’s views as part of this consultation, these should be sent to communications@olev.gov.uk or by post at:
Consultation Response
Office for Low Emission Vehicles
Zones 3/29-33
33 Horseferry Road
London
SW1P 4DR
as soon as possible, and no later than end of Friday 31 July 2020.
We are asking for views on:
Main points
Replacing EU subsidies with this scheme, using Public Money for Public Goods. Also Phasing out the Countryside Steward ship scheme. Doing the same thing, just different priorities. Subsidising environmental activities and benefits created by landowners, tenants and farmers.
Priorities
Clean air, water, mitigating environmental hazards, mitigating climate change, thriving plants, wildlife and heritage. Support good practise, retrain bad practise, using the governments white paper Farming For the Future.
Test schemes are running now, pilots are due to start in 2021, full roll out in 2024. Progress on tests now 300 applications, 46 are active, 23 more due to start soon. Six-year transition period to allow for the changeover.
Tier 1. Embedding good practise and environmental issues in most farms. Once adopted as the norm, bring in legislation to support the changes.
Tier 2. Payment by results, creating a nature recovery network, creating support networks, local support and guidance for local planners and councils to allow for less red tape to enable schemes to get up and running quicker.
Tier 3. Getting farmers and landowners with bordering properties, working together to form land management programmes just look at environmental benefits, pairing them up with the private sector to use the land for carbon offset projects? Cuckmere and Pevensey Levels Partnership is one of these test projects.
Some questions around what people think of the proposals of how the ELM will work are stated but DEFRA are not looking for any projects or ideas.
Natural Capital Committee, April 2020
This paper sets out the NCC’s advice to government on taking a natural capital approach to attaining net zero. Nature based interventions for attaining the government’s net zero target should be viewed in the broader context of the 25 YEP goals. This should be delivered through a joined-up government response to climate change.
Climate Outreach, May 2019
The school strikes and Extinction Rebellion have created an incredible surge of energy, and now a plan for reaching ‘net zero’ emissions by mid century has just been released by the Committee on Climate Change. But how is the concept of net zero – and the ambition contained within it – understood and engaged with, beyond the environmental movement? Are the public, and especially the centre-right, ready for net zero?
