The transformation of UK society towards a sustainable future requires huge change. The transport sector in the UK is currently under-performing in meeting global environmental targets set at Kyoto and Rio de Janeiro. Halcrow is involved with a number of studies assessing the role of the transport sector in reducing CO2 emissions (see project website at www.vibat.org).
The initial VIBAT-UK study (2005-06), carried out with the Bartlett School of Planning, University College London, was commissioned by the Department for Transport. It examines how the transport sector in the UK can contribute to reducing global warming, and assesses the possibilities of reducing transport CO2 emissions in the UK by 60% in 2030.
Halcrow is currently leading on the VIBAT-London study, with Oxford University and Space Syntax, as part of the UrbanBuzz programme (2007-08) and is carrying out similar research in Asia. Each of the studies use a variety of innovative research techniques (including scenario building and backcasting) to examine a range of policy measures and assess how they can be effectively combined to achieve CO2 emission reduction targets. A simulation tool has been developed to assess the contribution of various levels of application of different policy levers to CO2 reduction:
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low carbon vehicles |
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alternative fuels |
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pricing regimes |
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public transport |
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walking and cycling |
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soft measures |
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reduced vehicle speeds and ecological driving |
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urban planning |
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ICT developments |
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freight substitution |
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carbon rationing |
The study findings have been presented at various conferences in the UK, Europe and further afield.
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