UK Climate Change Programme 2006 - JNCC - Defra

68
Transport
An example of the fuel economy label, reflecting the recent changes
to VED (note official VCA version not available at time of print)
consumed and on accidents. This work should
deliver increasing carbon savings over time and
help reduce congestion as transport operators
integrate this best practice fully into their
everyday activities. In the meantime, we have
decided to allocate a one off budget increase of
£1.5m to the Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving
scheme (SAFED) which aims both to provide
relevant training and to identify best practice
for truck and van drivers.
34. We are also awaiting a legislative proposal from
the European Commission which is likely to
propose a mandatory system of colour coded
fuel-efficiency labelling across the EU. The UK
strongly supports this approach, provided that
flexibility is built into the system so that Member
States can ensure compatibility with other
national policy measures.
Logistics
35. In 2006 we will also look at how and
whether to expand the sustainable
distribution programmes to encourage
efficient operating practices in the
haulage/logistics industry through which we
have been able to give practical advice on
how to cut down on lorry mileage, on fuel
36. Using rail instead of road to transport freight can
also cut carbon emissions. The amount of freight
moved by rail in terms of tonne kilometres has
increased by over 55 per cent since 1995/96. The
Government is currently spending around £20m
each year on grants for rail freight, which take
about 800,000 lorry movements off the road
each year.
The Food Industry Sustainability Strategy,
published by Defra in April 2006, challenges
the food and drink industry (manufacturers,
wholesalers, retailers and the food service
sector) to make significant reductions in the
external costs associated with the domestic
transportation of food, including road
congestion and carbon dioxide emissions, by
building upon current best practice and the
logistical improvements of the last decade.
Emissions from food transportation by the food
industry in the UK were about 2.6MtC in 2002.
Hydrogen and hybrid buses
The number 25 bus route runs the gamut of London traffic conditions in its journey between Oxford Circus
and Ilford, which makes it a perfect choice for the first hydrogen fuel cell trial bus route. These buses emit
only steam from their tailpipes, because they work by generating electricity from a fuel cell on the vehicle,
in which hydrogen reacts with oxygen from the air to form an electrical charge which powers the vehicle. If
the hydrogen can be produced from carbon-free sources such as renewable electricity, these vehicles could
lead to totally carbon-free transport.
In February 2006, the Mayor of London announced the addition by Transport for London (TfL) of six new,
environmentally friendly hybrid vehicles - the first ever such vehicles in London - to the London Buses fleet.
The hybrids operate on route 360, run by London Central. A leafy motif on the buses will help passengers
recognise their environmentally-friendly status. They use less fuel than a standard diesel bus, leading to a
substantial reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.