Recommendation 14

HM Government · verbatim extract Rejected

Emissions from cars and vans were responsible for 71% of UK greenhouse gas emissions from transport in 2019 and make up almost of fifth (19%) of the UK’s domestic total, meaning that decarbonising these vehicles will be critical to achieving the Government’s net zero objective. Alongside the decision to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans in 2030, the Government has committed £1.88 billion for plug-in grants and electric vehicle charging infrastructure to support the transition to zero emission vehicles, and uses the tax system to encourage the uptake of zero emission vehicles, with zero-rated Vehicle Excise Duty and a company car tax rate of 1% this year. The Government has also committed to publishing a Green Paper on the UK’s post-EU emissions regulations this year. As well as supporting the decarbonisation of cars and vans, the Government has also made major investments in other clean forms of transport. This includes £5 billion for cycling and buses over this parliament, and £81 million of R&D funding in 2021–22 to launch a programme of investment in low and zero emission transport technologies. This includes new initiatives on sustainable aviation fuels, clean maritime demonstrations, zero emission freight trials, innovative electric vehicle charging solutions, and funding for a Hydrogen Transport Hub in the Tees Valley. 15. We recommend that the Government set out, in its forthcoming transport decarbonisation strategy , what plans it has for substantial long-term investment in better public transport and in traffic reduction measures, and how such investment will reduce levels of road congestion, improve air quality and contribute to achieving net zero. (Paragraph 123 of the EAC report) Intra-city transport settlements will invest £4.2 billion from 22–23 for five-year consolidated funding settlements for eight city regions. These London-style settlements will allow regions to invest in local transport projects that best serve the needs of the local area, enabling investment in local transport networks – including public and sustainable transport schemes. The National Bus Strategy published last month set out this Government’s long-term vision for driving reform within the bus industry and delivering better bus services to passengers. Supported by £3 billion investment, the Strategy begins to set out plans for making bus journeys faster, more frequent, and cheaper, as well as greener, through supporting the delivery of 4,000 zero emission buses. 16. Each project within the Government’s Road Investment Strategy will no doubt be analysed for its costs and benefits in accordance with Government guidance in the ‘Green Book’, as revised in November 2020. To ensure a green recovery, it is vital that the likely impact of each is explicitly appraised against the UK’s air quality, biodiversity protection and climate change commitments before final approval for construction is given in each case. (Paragraph 124 of the EAC report) All schemes within the Government’s Road Investment Strategy undergo analysis of their environmental impacts, including air quality, biodiversity and climate change impacts, as part of the approval process.