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Transport Information Sheet

The transport sector is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the UK. Most of the transport
emissions come from private vehicles (mostly cars).

30
Percentage Contribution to
Greenhouse Gas Emissions

20

10

0
transport energy business residential agriculture waste industry public
Sector

Since 1990, the UK has only managed to reduce emissions from private vehicles by 3%.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, private vehicle use was increasing.

The Road to Zero

The government’s Road to Zero strategy aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars and
vans to zero by 2050. This will mean making almost every car and van a zero-emission vehicle.

One of the targets is that 50% of car sales need to be made up of electric cars by 2030.

Even if we meet that target, the number of miles we drive in cars needs to reduce by 60% to keep
global warming below 1.5°C.

The UK transport policy is based around car use. Even though we need to reduce car use, the policy still
aims to increase the number of cars that can use the roads. The policy needs to change quickly.

Electric vehicles produce less greenhouse gas emissions while in use than petrol and diesel vehicles.

However, greenhouse gases are released when electric cars are made and when electricity for their
use is generated.

Our Climate, Our Future

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We need to make walking, cycling and

using public transport more appealing
to people than driving.

However, between 1997 and 2016:

• the cost of buying, owning and using

a car fell by 16%;
• the cost of bus and coach fares
increased by 33%;
• the cost of rail fares increased by 23%.

To make public transport more attractive than using cars, the government’s policies will need to make
public transport cheaper and driving more expensive. This will not be popular with voters.

What Are the Solutions?

Governments need to spend money on making walking, cycling and public transport cheaper, faster,
safer and more convenient than driving.

We need to stop building new houses in areas that make walking, cycling and public transport difficult.

Cities and towns need to make it harder or more expensive to drive around them. London has
a congestion charge, but very few other cities have made similar changes at the moment.

Local areas should provide safer walking and cycling routes, low-traffic areas and car-free city centres.

We need to invest in a public transport network that is quick, direct and affordable.

We need to make sure that changes improve transport options for all people. Everyone needs to have
equal access to transport, especially where transport alternatives to the car are currently absent.

London Ultra Low Emission Zone sign A car-free area in a city centre

Our Climate, Our Future

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Glossary

Key Word Definition

A charge made if you drive into an area (usually a city centre that has a lot
congestion charge
of traffic).

electric vehicle A vehicle (e.g. a car or van) that is powered by electricity.

global warming The gradual increase in the temperature of the Earth's atmosphere.

greenhouse gas The release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide
emissions and methane are greenhouse gases.

investment Giving money with the expectation of generating an income or profit.

A vehicle (mostly cars) that is for the use of the person that owns it and
private vehicles
not for business purposes.

A government strategy that aims for cars and vans to be zero emission
Road to Zero
by 2050.

transport policy The laws and regulations that guide the transport industry.

zero-emission A process that does not release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Our Climate, Our Future