Plane Speaking. Lorries Too.
As EcoWorldly continues its theme with transport news and views from across the globe, two items have come to my attention here in the UK.
Air Pollution
Aviation tax proposals have been outlined by the government. Under the new guidelines, due to come into effect in November this year, it will be the planes, not the passengers, that will be taxed.
New Government figures released showed that emissions from air travel are continuing to rise. Between 1990 and 2006, emissions from aviation fuel use more than doubled.
21 per cent of the UK’s carbon emissions will be attributable to air traffic by 2050, and the Treasury report insisted the proposed tax system would, “introduce fairer duty, more in line with the environmental impact of flights, including the distance travelled”.
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Airlines who fly long-haul will be hit the hardest with BA to be hit the hardest of all. Understandably, their reaction to the proposals are lukewarm at best. Preferring the proposed EU emissions trading scheme, which airlines will join in 2011, The Guardian quotes BA as responding:
“Emissions trading leads directly to reduced emissions. Taxes do not. APD (air passenger duty) is not used to fund environmental benefits and there is no guarantee that a flight-based tax would.”
No surprise there then. BA would of course prefer emissions trading. Whenever such a scheme is introduced, corporate giants continue with unabated CO2 emissions and then buy credits off those who haven’t exceeded their quotas. A haphazard arrangement with further resultant hazards to the environment. In effect, those emitting the most ignore one of the core principles of tackling climate chaos: behavioural change.
Friends of the Earth (FoE), though pleased with the government’s announcement would like to see the measures go further. In an announcement to the press they acknowledged that the Treasury’s proposal to replace APD with a per plane tax - which will also cover freight flights for the first time - was welcome. However:
- It should aim to cut emissions from UK air travel by encouraging more efficient planes and - along with other measures - cut the number of flights taken.
- It must also be subject to an annual escalator, with tax increases used to cut taxes on jobs and income.
- The Government must also include our share of international aviation emissions in its climate change bill. Failure to do so would be like going on a calorie-controlled diet, but ignoring calories from chocolate.
- The Government must scrap plans to expand UK airports.
Friends of the Earth aviation campaigner Richard Dyer said:
“The Government must cut aviation emissions if it is serious about tackling climate change. Scrapping APD and replacing it with a tax on planes could be a major step in the right direction. But such a scheme must be designed to make cheap air travel more expensive if it is to lead to a significant reduction in the sector’s impact on climate change.”
The press release can be read in full here.
Business Green have also run this story – with links to related aviation news.
Road Pollution
Leaving air pollution now, and returning to the ground, London is set to become a cleaner environment. Currently, the city’s air quality is one of the poorest in Europe.
Tomorrow (February 4th), the Low Emission Zone will come into operation. Its aims are to reduce traffic pollution and improve the health and quality of life for Londoners by encouraging operators of large diesel vehicles to clean up their fleets.
Diesel lorries over 12 tonnes will be required to meet specified emissions standards. Those that fail to meet requirements will be fined.
In force 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year, the zone will cover most of Greater London.
From July 2008, it will also apply to lighter lorries, buses and coaches, and the most polluting of other heavy vehicles.
Ken Livingstone, London’s mayor, hopes that very few non-compliant vehicles will be driven in the zone. He said: “Thousands of Londoners suffer ill-health from pollution released by traffic fumes.”
He continues:
“This is why we are launching the London-wide Low Emission Zone. It will improve Londoners’ quality of life, and help make London cleaner and greener for residents and visitors alike.”
Operators of affected lorries, buses and coaches that do not meet the Low Emission Zone standards will need to pay a charge of £200 for each charging day they are driven in the zone.
Further Information:
The Freight Transport Association respond to these measures.
Updated Link:
The Guardian have today provided their readers with a useful guide to this story.
Source:
Photo courtesy of Flickr.
Awesome site - I’ve linked to it.
Simmons
Thanks for the support Simmons. Really appreciated.