Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 27
27
Accepted
Paragraph: 132
The best way to reduce the UK’s future exposure to volatility in the price of...
Recommendation
The best way to reduce the UK’s future exposure to volatility in the price of oil is to reduce oil consumption. The rapid growth in electric car sales is encouraging, but it will take many years to replace petrol and diesel vehicles. More must be done to improve the energy efficiency of our transport system and reduce its contribution to climate change in the meantime. The International Energy Agency and other bodies have identified a range of demand side measures that the Government could use to cut oil use, make public transport more affordable and reduce transport emissions. We recommend that the Department for Transport consult on measures, such as those listed in the IEA’s ten-point plan, that it could introduce in the UK to improve energy security, reduce oil demand and cut climate-changing emissions from transport.
Government Response Summary
The government states that decarbonising transport and reducing its contribution to climate change is a priority, referencing the Transport Decarbonisation Plan (TDP) published in 2021. They will continue to consider options, including those put forward by the IEA, and mention existing commitments and initiatives such as phasing out the sale of new non-zero emission vehicles and supporting active travel.
Paragraph Reference:
132
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
62. As the UK’s largest emitting sector, decarbonising transport and reducing its contribution to climate change is a priority. To this end, in 2021 DfT published the Transport Decarbonisation Plan (TDP) to set the sector on an ambitious path to net zero by 2050. The TDP – and subsequent Net Zero Strategy – also made clear how we will capture the significant co-benefits this transition will deliver for our energy security, environment and economy. 63. We will continue to consider options – including those put forward by the IEA – to decarbonise transport, many of which are already being progressed. Existing commitments include phasing out the sale of all new non-zero emission road vehicles by 2040, with over £2bn of existing Government support for the transition to zero emission vehicles and plans to introduce a ZEV mandate to require a percentage of manufacturers’ new car and van sales to be zero emission each year from 2024. For heavier vehicles, our zero emission HGV demonstrator programme will deploy vehicles and associated infrastructure at scale on UK roads, providing certainty to industry to invest. 64. DfT is also delivering on the National Bus Strategy for England and Plan for Rail to increase access to and use of public transport. This includes over £1bn for Local Transport Authorities to deliver Bus Service Improvement Plans, and we recently provided up to £60m to help bus operators cap single bus fares in England outside London at £2 for a limited period. On rail, the Government is investing £360m in fares, ticketing and retailing, delivering a major overhaul to the way in which rail travel is bought and paid for. 65. In 2022, DfT published the second statutory Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS2), including an objective to deliver a world-class cycling and walking network by 2040. The newly launched executive agency Active Travel England will support local authorities and oversee extensive funding to develop and build new walking, wheeling and cycling routes across England. 66. We are also supporting local and regional organisations to drive decarbonisation and reduce reliance on fossil fuels at a local level. Last year DfT published the first iteration of the Local Authority Transport Decarbonisation Toolkit, providing advice to local authorities on actions to reduce transport emissions. We are updating Local Transport Plan guidance and publishing standalone guidance on Quantifiable Carbon Reductions in local transport to help local authorities make long-term, evidence-based plans for carbon reductions. We are also working with the Sub-National Transport bodies to develop Regional Centres of Excellence which will provide bespoke capability support to Local Transport Authorities in their region.