Better Transport

The climate is changing, gravely threatening not just our way of life but life itself.

While the Government has made some good steps to reduce emissions of climate-changing gases, in one area its record is awful: the transport sector.

Transport is the fastest growing source of climate change gases in the UK; road transport alone now accounts for 26% of emissions.

Emissions are rising because the building of more and more roads and airports is spurring us to drive more and fly more. This travel brings us short-term benefits but is costing our children a healthy planet.

We’re working hard to stop wasteful projects that would increase C02 emissions and we're putting forward good solutions:

• Massive road building is not the answer
• Nor is airport expansion the way forward
• In November 2008 we published research that shows the Government what's needed to reduce carbon emissions from transport
• In December 2008 we published research which shows that reducing bus and rail fares and increasing motoring and aviation taxes could lead to a 13% cut in carbon emissions by 2025. Getting the price right is vital if we're going to tackle climate change
• This year we set the country’s main political parties a challenge: How would you reduce transport’s carbon footprint? We are hosting speeches from the transport spokesperson from each of the leading political parties on this theme over the coming months
• More recently, we have pressed hard for a carbon reduction fund that would give a clear signal that carbon reduction is a priority and to fund a wider range of innovative projects than would otherwise be the case.

With your support we could do even more.