Transport sector gas emissions 'fell by 3% in 2008'

Date: 4/2/2010

Greenhouse gas emissions produced by the British transport sector fell by three per cent in 2008, figures published by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) have suggested.

Total emissions of gases covered by the Kyoto Protocol fell by 1.9 per cent to 628.3 million tonnes in 2008, down from 640.5 million tonnes in 2007, figures showed.

Carbon dioxide emissions fell by two per cent, putting the UK well above its Kyoto target to cut emissions by 12.5 per cent on 1990 levels.

The news follows an Office for National Statistics survey which revealed that the majority of the public believe transport emissions contribute to climate change.

More than half the consumers questioned said motorists should limit their vehicle use and three quarters were prepared to change their own behaviour to help limit climate damage.

However, the DECC figures showed emissions from road transport have risen six per cent since 1990, despite local government authorities promoting sustainable forms of transport, such as walking, cycling or taking public transport.