Transport Action Network, a sustainable transport advocacy organisation, has welcomed the Climate Change Committee’s (CCC) 2022 Progress Report to Parliament, especially its recommendations on reducing traffic growth and pursuing alternatives to road building.
In the report, the CCC is critical of the UK government’s delivery of sustainability measures and a lack of progress in many areas, especially transport.
The publication includes several recommendations, including improved targets to reduce the use of private vehicles, such as those adopted by the Welsh and Scottish governments.
The committee sees such measures as key to cutting carbon emissions during the transition to EVs.
Chris Todd, director of Transport Action Network, said: “The latest report should be a wake up call for government.
“It’s good that the government has the ambition to deal with climate change, but this report lays bare the failures in delivery.
“While electrification of cars is going well, progress in other areas is poor.
“Without a strong commitment to traffic reduction and investment to enable a switch to walking, cycling and public transport, we’re going to fail in keeping the planet safe.
“While climate change isn’t waiting for us, taking action now could help with the cost of living crisis and reduce reliance on oil from Russia.
“The government needs to stop stalling on the leadership needed to deliver on changes that will ultimately improve people’s quality of life.”
The CCC criticised the government’s road-building plans for encouraging traffic growth and increased emissions, and stated that it instead needed to align development with net zero ambitions.
The committee was particularly concerned with the proposals for the next Roads Investment Strategy (RIS3) and recommended that the Department for Transport and National Highways pursue more sustainable alternatives.
