Safe Speed Forums

Building a greener future means that low carbon travel must be a genuine, viable and attractive option for businesses and ordinary citizens. It does not mean government dictating which particular mode of travel people should use. Instead, what I want is to widen the options so that it is easier and a natural part of life for people – and businesses – to go for the low carbon option. Everyone can do something.
We have already put in place measures to support this. In road transport we’ve agreed a framework with our European partners for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from new cars. We are supporting the development, manufacture and purchase of ultra-low carbon cars, vans, and buses. We are promoting sustainable biofuels and are working to reduce emissions from road freight. We are helping drivers make better-informed decisions about the carbon impact of the vehicles they purchase.
We are pursuing an agenda to reduce the carbon impact of the railways. As the Prime Minister announced on 29 June we are preparing for a major programme of rail electrification. Even more radically, and following on from the successful completion of High Speed One from London to the Channel Tunnel, we are reviewing the case for a north-south high speed rail line with the establishment of the High Speed Two Company.
In aviation and shipping we are pushing the operators and manufacturers to bring forward ambitious technological improvements that will increase fuel efficiency and reduce environmental impacts. The Government is also pressing for international aviation and international shipping to be included in any new global deal agreed at the Copenhagen Climate Conference in December 2009. We are looking for operational efficiencies too, for example through better air traffic control.