PRESS RELEASE

Will transport delays scupper credibility of new climate plan?

Commenting on today’s publication of the Government’s new climate plan, the Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan, Chris Todd, Director of Transport Action Network said:

“With communities from England to Jamaica facing catastrophic uninsurable losses as climate breakdown accelerates, this new plan is a key test of Britain’s claim to leadership. Transport has long been a laggard and is now the biggest brake holding us back. Replacing petrol and diesel has to happen faster but was never enough – even before slowing car sales and weakened targets – to get us where we need to be.

“With government and households facing budget pressures, the new plan fails to take bold measures to enable people and businesses to travel differently. Failing to reduce fares on buses and trains will leave them unaffordable for many. This will undermine economic growth and faster emissions cuts.

“Rapidly shifting funding and road space to more efficient and productive travel, whether buses, car sharing, walking and cycling would help households, local shops and the health service too. That includes getting more freight on rail rather than paying hidden subsidies to cram our roads with more lorries. We can’t go on with business as usual and hope that technology will ride to the rescue.”

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Notes for editors

Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan