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Emissions

Answer

A number of steps are currently being taken to reduce carbon emissions from the road transport sector. These include improvements to average new car fuel efficiency through the voluntary agreements between the European Commission and the automotive industry, complemented by changes to vehicle taxation, and support for low carbon fuels such as biofuels. In the area of fuel efficiency alone, new cars in the UK are now emitting some 10 per cent. less carbon dioxide per kilometre on average than in 1995. Policy measures in the transport sector alone are forecast to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by some 4.4 million tonnes of carbon a year by 2010.Fuel efficiency labels, similar to those currently displayed on fridges and other white goods, have been developed by the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP) in an effort to provide information to car buyers on how they can save money and help the environment. All 42 car brands in the UK have signed up to the introduction of the voluntary labelling scheme, and the label is due to be in all UK car showrooms by 1 September. As well as highlighting the fuel efficiency of every new car on sale, the labels also contain information on how much motorists can expect to pay in fuel bills in a typical year for a particular car, and whether the car qualifies for a reduction in Vehicle Excise Duty.The Climate Change Programme (CCP) published in 2000, is currently being reviewed by the Government. The CCP review is looking at how existing policies in all sectors are performing and the range of policies that might be put in place for the future. Evaluation of existing policies is almost completed and appraisal of possible new measures is currently under way. Responses to consultation along with outcome of analytical work will feed into the revised programme due to be published by the end of the year.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

14426; 436 c2305-6W;436 c2306-7W

Session

2005-06

Subjects

Exhaust emissions Pollution control