The Cross-Party Group on Sustainable Transport have today (Tuesday 20th) launched an inquiry into the Government’s plans for cutting emissions from public transport.
The Group is responding to widespread concerns that progress against the Government’s climate targets is falling behind.
The Group is announcing a call for evidence, seeking views on how to urgently decarbonise Scotland’s fleets of buses, trains and ferries.
CPG convenor Graham Simpson MSP said:
“In recent years, the Scottish Government has made some ambitious commitments to bus, rail and ferry decarbonisation, as part of its plans to cut climate emissions. The Parliament has a key role in ensuring that these targets are met. The Cross Party Group will take stock of progress and review the next actions required to ensure that emissions are cut in an efficient and timely manner.
“This work follows on from the Cross Party Group’s successful inquiry into traffic reduction last year which used expert evidence to set out a set of recommendations the Government should consider when progressing policies to reduce car kilometres by 20% by 2030.”
Transform Scotland spokesperson Laura Hyde-White said:
“We must end our reliance on fossil fuels in transport – Scotland’s most polluting sector. Although much attention has been given in recent years to cutting emissions from private cars, we now need to focus on action to decarbonise Scotland’s buses, trains and ferries.
Scotland has this incredible opportunity to build a modern, efficient public transport system that supports green jobs whilst meeting our climate targets. But if we don’t act now we’ll all be left behind. We want to hear people’s ideas on the urgent action we need to take now.”
The Cross Party Group will be taking evidence from Tuesday 20 June for 8 weeks until Tuesday 15 August, before publishing a report collating the findings of the inquiry.
Evidence sessions on bus, rail and ferry decarbonisation have taken place with, evidence provided by expert speakers:
• Jude Balfour (First Bus)
• David Clarke (Railway Industry Association)
• Sara Collier (Confederation for Passenger Transport)
• Neil Kermode (European Marine Energy Centre, Orkney)
• Debbie McCreath (Alexander Dennis)
• Lee Pounder (SPL Powerlines)
• Asbjørn Torvanger (Centre for International Climate and Environmental Research Oslo)
Evidence can be submitted at this Google Form.
