8 September 2009
Scottish car users are prepared to embrace new ways to reduce emissions
Letter as submitted (published version, which was only slightly edited, doesn't appear to be online):
Dear Sir
The Scottish Government's new research is valuable in highlighting ways forward for decarbonising the transport sector (''Make motorists pay to cut carbon', 7th September).
But if the Government is to have any hope of meeting its climate change targets it will have to put in place demand management measures and make plain to motorists what it wants them to do and how it will help them to do it.
It is imperative that progress is made in delivering 'Smarter Choices' measures such as travel plans, car clubs and other means to reduce the need to travel. It is these small-scale, low-cost, local transport measures that the report found were the most efficient at driving emission reduction and which will thereby help us maintain a habitable niche on the planet.
Research shows that many Scottish car users are ready, willing and able to cut their car use. Whilst ready for change they also need practical support, help and advice on how to make the change in as easy and painless a way as possible and how to fit these changes into their life.
Our own report, 'Smarter Ways Forward', published earlier this year, found that Smarter Choices measures are an important tool in tackling congestion and reducing climate change emissions. Workplace and school travel plans and car sharing schemes were found to be already in widespread use across Scotland. However other measures - such as car clubs and conferencing technology - need to be expanded.
Government needs to play a full role in prioritising investment in these efficient ways of reducing emissions from the transport sector, in setting an example by adopting such practices itself and, perhaps above all, in communicating the urgency of the situation.
Professor Stephen Stradling
Chair, Transform Scotland Trust