Transport secretary Grant Shapps has announced the launch of a 'Net Zero Transport Board' to help guide the decarbonisation of UK transport.
Mr Shapps said the board would bring together 'high-profile leaders' from fields including behavioural change and policy, as well as experts in the environment, science, aviation and technology.
The board had its first meeting on 8 July.
The news comes as the Government also launched a consultation asking the public for their ideas on:
- the steps government should take to reduce emissions from transport
- creating a plan to ensure the UK transport is net zero in emissions by 2050
The new net zero board will help shape and inform the transport decarbonisation plan coming later this year, the Department for Transport said, as well as advise on how to ensure a green economic recovery from coronavirus (COVID-19).
Government figures including the transport secretary, transport minister Rachel Maclean and minister for clean growth Kwasi Kwarteng will receive briefings from the board.
Mr Shapps said: 'Clearly our ground-breaking transport decarbonisation plan must be shaped by the best brains and informed by the widest array of expertise and experience.
'I’m determined to build a greener, healthier, more prosperous Britain for future generations and I have no doubt that the Net Zero Transport Board will play an integral part in our green recovery.'
Last year, the UK became the first major economy in the world to pass laws to end its contribution to global warming by 2050. The target will require the UK to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, compared with the previous target of at least 80% reduction from 1990 levels.
Transport inister Rachel Maclean said: 'The coronavirus pandemic has led to people making huge changes to the way they live, work and travel, and we want to capitalise and build on the new habits people have developed, as well as champion the power of new, cleaner technologies on our road to a green recovery.
'The Government has pledged to put a green recovery for transport at the heart of its decisions, and the meeting later today follows the unprecedented work taking place as part of the green economic recovery including a £2bn fund for cycling and walking – the largest investment ever made in this area.'
Darren Shirley, chief executive of Campaign for Better Transport, said: ' As the UK begins the process of recovery from Covid-19, the need for sustainable transport has only strengthened. By supporting public transport, walking, cycling and zero-emission vehicles, the Government can not only improve our environment and our health, but also create jobs, tackle social exclusion and help the economy to recover.'
Those attending the Net Zero Transport Board include:
- Environment - Carly McLachlan Director, Tyndall Centre
- Environment - Leo Murray, Founder, Possible
- Roads - Peter Mock EU Managing Director, International Council on Clean Transportation
- Behavioural Change - Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh, Director, UK Centre for Climate Change & Social Transformations
- Policy - Richard Howard, Director, Head of Environment & Energy, Policy Exchange
- Place - Polly Billington, UK100 Cities network
- Rural - Stephen Joseph, Visiting Professor at the University of Hertfordshire’s Smart Mobility Unit
- Active Travel - John Lauder, Deputy Chief Executive, Sustrans
- Freight / Logistics - Peter Harris, Director of Sustainability, Europe, UPS
- Business - Natasha Patel, Director, Baringa Partners
- Business/tech - Dr Michaela Kendall, CEO and Co-Founder, Adelan
- Roads - Konstanze Scharring, Director of Policy, SMMT
- Technology - Ian Meikle, Director, Clean Growth and Infrastructure, Innovate UK
- Science / Technology - Professor Robert Mair, Chair of the Science Advisory Council
- Aviation - Adam Morton, Chair, Sustainable Aviation
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