Bill amendment aims for further CO2 cuts

15 October 2008

An amendment to the Local Transport Bill has been tabled this week, which would give local authorities a new duty to produce transport policies which reduce carbon emissions.

Labour MP Clive Betts put forward the amendment, which asks that the Bill ‘ensure the authority’s local transport policies – taken as a whole – contribute to the mitigation of climate change.’ Betts said: ‘I’ve tabled this amendment because we need to put climate change at the top of the agenda. That means encouraging local authorities to do everything they can to cut carbon emissions from transport in their areas.’

As it currently stands, the Bill does not mention climate change. The Campaign for Better Transport group argues the Climate Change Bill carbon reduction targets – a 26-32% cut by 2020, and a 60% cut by 2050 – will not be met if carbon emissions are not tackled at a local level. The group is encouraging all MPs to support this amendment.

Cat Hobbs, Campaign for Better Transport’s public transport campaigner, said: ‘Local authority transport policies influence everyone’s travel choices, particularly for shorter journeys. Cutting bus services, for example, pushes people back into their cars. The Government must use the Local Transport Bill to ensure local authorities help to meet its climate change targets.’

The Bill is expected to reach report stage in the next few weeks.

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