The new “Delivery Roadmap for Net Zero Transport”, produced by Zemo Partnership, calls on the UK government to act with urgency to unlock green finance, introduce VAT cuts, and provide more EV chargers.
According to government data, the transport sector currently contributes around a quarter (26%) of total UK emissions, making it the largest emitting sector of the economy[i], and therefore a critical segment in meeting net zero commitments.
Not-for-profit Zemo Partnership (formerly known as the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership) was founded by the UK Government in 2003 to support the decarbonisation of the UK road transport sector. Yet, while the partnership finds the UK’s recently updated target for greenhouse gas emissions (a reduction of 81% by 2035 vs 1990 levels) ambitious, it remains unmatched by the domestic policies required to achieve the target. The new roadmap therefore offers a vision of how the government and the road transport sector can work together to deliver a sustainable transport system in the near future.
The researchers believe that the transport sector is well-placed to make a substantial contribution to reducing UK GHG emissions. They suggest that a rapid, sector-wide transition to vehicles that produce zero tailpipe emissions and increased take-up of low carbon fuels, along with improvements in petrol and diesel vehicle efficiency, could make a substantial contribution to cutting emissions. Further, a change in travel habits- driving less and using cleaner transport options – could see surface transport emissions drop by as much as 70% by 2035[ii].
In a positive sign the introduction of zero emission technologies has already been credited with helping to reduce emissions in the UK, where in 2023, surface transport emissions fell by 0.9% compared with 2022. The one million electric vehicles on the road (out of a total 36.3 million vehicles) helped reduce emissions, despite overall vehicle-kilometres increasing.
However, to meet the UK’s net zero targets much more must be done, and much more quickly. To do so, the Roadmap proposes the following:
· Accelerate the rollout of electric vehicles by working with the private sector to identify how many and what types of chargers are needed and where and ensure fairness in VAT rates for charging.
· Decarbonise the existing fleet with a package of measures to boost production and demand for low carbon fuels.
· Encourage low carbon travel choices by providing greater support and information on walking, cycling, public transport, car clubs and lift sharing.
· Direct policy and funding to close skills gaps and speed up reskilling and upskilling by reforming the Apprenticeship Levy and introducing a new skills passport.
· Unlock green finance by improving lenders’ perceptions of risk and facilitating the use of lower risk financing options.
Zemo’s Managing Director, Claire Haigh, said: “Policy changes and uncertainty are damaging and will slow down the transition. We need to coalesce around a shared vision of the future and, together, agree the finer details of policies to avoid future, unhelpful turbulence.”[iii]
She added that the Delivery Roadmap for Net Zero Transport is “not an endpoint, but a key reference on which we will build; to develop the finer details of the policies necessary to accelerate transport’s transition.”[iv]
[i] Transport and environment statistics: 2023 - GOV.UK
[ii] Delivery Roadmap report - Zemo Partnership - single page.pdf
[iv] Ibid
Lauren has extensive experience as an analyst and market researcher in the digital technology and travel sectors. She has a background in researching and forecasting emerging technologies, with a particular passion for the Videogames and eSports industries. She joined the Critical Information Group as Head of Reports and Market Research at GRC World Forums, and leads the content and data research team at the Zero Carbon Academy. “What drew me to the academy is the opportunity to add content and commentary around sustainability across a wealth of industries and sectors.”
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