Carbon footprint of lorries almost a quarter of UK transport emissions14th November 2008 The Government needs to give more attention to reducing emissions from the freight sector according to Freight on Rail; its research shows that official figures underestimate the impact of HGVs. These lorries actually contribute almost a quarter of UK domestic transport emissions, (not 20% as preciously calculated), even though HGVs only represent 6% of miles travelled1. The accurate carbon footprint of HGVs could have significant policy implications making the case for rail - a low emissions, energy efficient, safer alternative to HGVs - even stronger. These figures also overestimate the impact of vans which should represent 13% not 15% of domestic transport emissions. The errors exist in the way emissions proportions are calculated. Philippa Edmunds, Freight on Rail Campaigner said” If the Government is to meet its climate change targets, it is crucial that official figures reflect the freight sector accurately so that the right policy decisions can be made to reduce freight emissions.
Members are Direct Rail Services, EWS, Freightliner, ASLEF, RMT, TSSA, UNITE, Rail Freight Group and Campaign for Better Transport
1. Freight emissions figures Vans have been overestimated and should be 12.8% of domestic transport emissions instead of 15.2% which is 16% lower. See Annex 3 AEA report National Greenhouse Gas Inventory 2008 and the attached files from Metropolitan Transport Research Unit (MTRU). 2. Safety benefits of rail DfT research stated that because of their size and weight, when they are involved in accidents the level of injury tends to be higher; DfT statistics show that HGVS were twice as likely to be involved in fatal accidents as cars in 2007 – Road Statistics Traffic Speeds Chart 10 p 115 2007, issued July 2008 Compliance with Road regulations Over 82% of HGVs exceeded their speed limit of 50 mph on dual carriageways and almost three-quarters exceeded the 40 mph limit on single carriageway non-built up roads in 2007. Source: DfT Transport Statistics Traffic Speeds Figure 3.5C for 2007 issued July 2008 VOSA spot checks in October 2008 found that half of UK registered HGVs stopped were breaking the law. IFW 21st October 2008 3. Congestion benefits of rail
1. Iain Knight Transport Research Laboratories Commercial Motor 17th July 2008 2. HGVs traffic have grown 20% since 1990 resulting in a 14% rise in CO2 emissions - Carbon Pathways DfT 2008 3. rail freight produces between three to five times less carbon emissions than road per tonne carried EWS 2007. 4. Rail is a safer form of distribution. Transport Research Laboratories TRLstated that when trucks are in a smash they do serious damage; infact Government Statistics shows that HGVs were twice as likely to be involved in fatal accidents as cars in 2007 |