LowCVP and Energy Institute host debate on prospects of emissions trading for road transport
Thu 03 May 2007
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Extending emissions trading to the road transport sector was the topic at the Energy Institute on May 1st in an event organised by the LowCVP and hosted by the Institute. The event was the first time the prospects for the inclusion of road transport in the European Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) have been debated in detail in a public forum.
With recent progress on the possible inclusion of aviation and shipping in the EU ETS, discussions about the inclusion of road transport have also risen up the agenda, following active promotion by the UK Government. The European Commission is now committed to further consideration of the issue.
The event was framed around a Department for Transport discussion paper which was presented by the DfT’s Head of Environment Policy and Delivery, Michael Hurwitz. He explained that DfT has come to no firm conclusions about how emissions trading might work in the road transport sector but were considering three options for trading between: fuel producers, car manufacturers or motorists and hauliers. Each option has its attractions and disadvantages but key considerations in determining the best solution will be the option’s practical feasibility and impact on the cost of CO2 allowances and fuel prices.
Speakers from the motor and fuels industries, an environmental NGO and other academic and stakeholder experts presented their initial opinions on the prospects for road transport emissions trading. There was consensus on at least one issue: that emissions trading in the road transport sector has little or no chance of being introduced before 2015, at the earliest. The debate on this subject has just begun.
Presentations from the conference are now available on the LowCVP website. (Follow the associated link)
A fuller report on the event will shortly be appearing in Petroleum Review.
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