New Secretary of State gives evidence to MPs committee on climate change and road transport
Sun 18 June 2006
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The new Transport Secretary, Douglas Alexander, has provided detailed evidence to the Environmental Audit Committee's inquiry into reducing carbon emissions from transport. Mr Alexander emphasised the importance of market mechanisms in meeting the challenge of climate change.
In his introduction, Mr Alexander commented that climate change is a global problem and that it requires global solutions. He said that the Government prefers a flexible approach to secure carbon reductions across the economy wherever they are most effectively made. He does not favour a transport-specific target as this could lead to an economically inefficient outcome, he implied.
Mr Alexander drew attention to the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation (RTFO) and the car makers voluntary agreements as key mechanisms for reducing road transport CO2. (See also EU/Dimas story in this newsletter.) He emphasised the importance of improving public awareness of the environmental impacts of road transport.
Mr Alexander highlighted the DfT's efforts to include transport in emissions trading schemes, eventually extending this from a well-designed scheme for the aviation sector to surface transport.
The Secretary of State told the Committee that the Government was committed to tackling climate change by setting the right policy framework across all government departments. He said that this would be combined with industry efforts to develop technology and cleaner vehicles, and the public taking better informed decisions on the environmental consequences of travel.
For the Secretary of State's full answers follow the link below.
Related Links
EAC website - Douglas Alexander - uncorrected evidence link
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