Logistics and its Environmental Impact Part 4

Despite the Coronavirus  issues the UK issued a new report at the end of March the challenges on the “decarbonising transport” in order to get to the country to  a zero emissions  by 2050 across all modes of transportation. This report sets out how the government plans to engage with individuals, companies and other stakeholders through a series of workshops and public feedback sessions on  the decarbonising issues and the proposed government actions to address them.  The government additionally wants feedback on any other issues not mentioned but may have an impact the decarbonising strategy and what actions should be taken in order to address them. The final report currently is planned to be issued towards the end of 2020, though it may will be delayed now.

According to the report the transport sector overall is now the largest emitter of Green House Gases (GHG) since 2016. This is since energy sector in the past few years has dropped dramatically, while the transport sector has remain fairly static over the past 25 years. This does show one positive in that while emission have remained static the number of vehicles has increased considerable in this period. This will be down to the drive in the commercial sector for reduced pollution in the form of EUR engine standards, increased electrification of rail lines and an overall improvement in transport vehicle efficiency.

There transport decarbonising highlights six areas it wishes to address in order to achieve a nett zero transport system in the UK.

• Encourage the transition of road vehicles to those which emit zero emissions. It aims to do this by supporting the construction of more refuelling and recharging infrastructure. This will ensure confidence in the public that they are not going to end up in a location with no ability to recharge. Supporting this ensuring that the energy network is capable of supporting the new demands on it. New regulations on emissions which will favour zero emission vehicles will be increased.  Finally ensure there is easy access to adequate supply and choice of zero emissions vehicles.  With most major vehicle manufactures committed now to making low and zero emission this should see this issue fulfilled.
• Introduce clean air solutions tailored specifically to the demand from the local population. Analysing why the emissions occur at these locations and how to address them. Specifically recognise that one solution does not fit all and encourage local management to actively address these issues.
• Encouraging the general public to move away for the use of private vehicles for all journeys and use of public transport or other active forms such a cycling.  If this was to be implement this will be probably the biggest infrastructure undertaking ever by any government, even greater than the investment announced by the current government The majority of UK roads are completely unsuited to accept thousands of new runners, cyclists mixing with the existing road traffic. While existing traffic levels would drop.
• How to make the UK into a centre for green technology and transport. Already mentioned in a previous article on Maritime Zero Emissions. This report wants to have ideas on how to make the UK a leading innovation centre. This will then allow the UK to become then a leading exporter of these solutions. The government wants to introduce more grants and loans specifically for companies who come up with solutions to existing pollution problems.
• Reducing carbon overall in the world’s global economy. Encourage the use of biofuels and electric in transport such as aircraft and ships which visit the country. By developing infrastructure to support these type of aircraft and vessels it will encourage other countries to follow suit.
• Decarbonising goods supply chains. Consider how changing consumer behaviour for buying goods(ie less shops more e-commence) is going to impact on future transport demands. Encouraging the use of zero emission vehicles specifically in the last mile sector, where vehicles are frequently stop/starting and covering less mileage. Using technology to increase the use of data sharing so deliveries can be optimised and less vehicles are moving around empty.

Future articles will deal with the current situation and detail planned steps on how the conversation will be taken forward. The full report from the Department of Transport Decarbonising Transport, Setting the Challenge can be downloaded here