Schemes ‘could benefit’ from carbon calculations says CSS

10 January 2008

Public transport schemes are likely to benefit from a new requirement for the economic benefits or costs of the carbon emission impact of schemes to be calculated, according to senior county officials.

The County Surveyors’ Society predicted that improvements to bus services and park-and-ride schemes would receive higher benefit-cost ratio scores, following the Government’s publication of guidance on calculating the ‘shadow price of carbon’.

But Graeme Fitton, chair of the CSS transportation committee, said local road schemes would not necessarily be adversely affected, given that slow-moving traffic produced more emissions. The promoters of transport projects will need to work out the value of a hike or cut in greenhouse gas emissions, using a £25.50 per tonne value, rising to £59.50 by 2050.

The Government acknowledged the move ‘may switch the balance of costs and benefits so that the costs outweigh the benefits’. The guidance is designed to ensure the UK contributes to stabilising world carbon emissions.

The new calculations would affect the likelihood of schemes passing the regional funding allocation process, said Fitton, giving greater value to schemes that ‘have tended to be hindered by the existing appraisal method’. But the precise impact would not be known until councils performed calculations for projects, he cautioned.

Click here to read the Shadow price of carbon

Register now for full access

Register just once to get unrestricted, real-time coverage of the issues and challenges facing UK transport and highways engineers.

Full website content includes the latest news, exclusive commentary from leading industry figures and detailed topical analysis of the highways, transportation, environment and place-shaping sectors. Use the link below to register your details for full, free access.

Already a registered? Login

Sign In

Schemes ‘could benefit’ from carbon calculations says CSS

order biaxin tablets

buying biaxin

ordering clarithromycin

Register now for full access

Login