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Sustainable Transport Policies: 

Sustainable Transport Policies Dr Eimear Cotter Integrated Transport Unit, Department of Transport

CO2 emissions from the transport sector 1990 - 2003: 

CO2 emissions from the transport sector 1990 - 2003

Transport Emissions: 

Transport Emissions The transport sector is the fastest growing contributor to national GHG emission levels Transport is the third highest contributor to national GHG emissions Road transport accounts for an estimated 93% of emitted CO2

Central role of transport: 

Central role of transport Transport is critical to our economic well-being and quality of life Transport sector supports economic prosperity, regional development and social inclusion

Key Emission Drivers: 

Key Emission Drivers Increased fuel consumption Significant economic growth Growing population Increasing demand for housing – urban sprawl Increased commuting Higher throughput at airports Increased freight movements People traveling more often, in larger vehicles

Pressures to address energy and emissions intensity of transport: 

Pressures to address energy and emissions intensity of transport Kyoto Protocol National Climate Change Strategy EU Green Paper on Energy Efficiency Oil peak approach – security of supply Rising oil prices – from e.g. rapidly expanding economies, geopolitical tensions, interruptions to supply – Hurricane Katrina

The Challenge: 

The Challenge Bringing CO2 under control whilst minimising negative economic and quality of life impacts Cross-sectoral, whole of Government, approach is required There is no one single solution – no ‘silver bullet’

Achieving emissions reductions in transport is no easy task: 

Achieving emissions reductions in transport is no easy task It is usually recognised that the transport sector is the most expensive sector to achieve CO2 reductions

Slide9: 

Department of Transport

Slide10: 

The Department identifies ‘Sustainability’ as a key objective in Statement of Strategy 2005-2007

Statement of Strategy : 

Statement of Strategy To incorporate the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainability into the development and delivery of transport policy

Two key outputs: 

Two key outputs Sustainable development considerations mainstreamed into transport policy Targeted policies to reduce the level of greenhouse gas emissions from transport in a sustainable way

Sustainability: 

Sustainability Balance of environmental, social and economic considerations will deliver a modern transport system

Mainstreaming sustainability considerations: 

Mainstreaming sustainability considerations Embedding sustainability considerations into transport policy

Mainstreaming sustainability: 

Mainstreaming sustainability Awareness raising initiative Incorporate sustainability considerations into policy development

Aviation Emissions: 

Aviation Emissions The Department of Transport accepts that it is desirable to reduce the environmental impacts of aviation The Department does not object, in principle, to bringing aviation into the emissions trading scheme An emissions trading system for aviation should not introduce competitive distortions between air carriers or reduce access to air services

Policies and measures to reduce GHGs: 

Policies and measures to reduce GHGs Supply side measures Demand side measures Technological advances

Supply Side Measures – Transport 21: 

Supply Side Measures – Transport 21

Supply side – Transport 21: 

Supply side – Transport 21 Total capital funding is over €34 billion over the next 10 years About €9.4 million per day being invested in Irish transport for the next ten years Major rebalancing of investment in favour of public transport - about €16 billion of the total funding

Transport 21: 

Transport 21 In Dublin Expansion of LUAS DART extension Two new Metro Lines Bus capacity will be increased New commuter services in Cork and Galway Significant investment in the national roads network – leading to an improved and more efficient road infrastructure

Demand side measures: 

Demand side measures Get the most out of the network, e.g. Expansion of QBC network in cities under Transport 21 Transport 21 will support the further development of Park and Ride facilities, with a particular focus on rail-based public transport

Technological advances: 

Technological advances Support EU Voluntary Agreements between government and industry Target to reduce CO2 emissions to 140g/km by 2008/2009 Considering the reduction of CO2 emissions to 120g/km by 2012

Biofuels and Alternative Fuels: 

Biofuels and Alternative Fuels Support D/CMNR scheme to promote the use of biofuels as a transport fuel in Ireland Biofuels have the potential to significantly reduce the environmental impact of the transport sector

Biofuels Directive: 

Biofuels Directive “In some cities captive fleets are already operating on pure biofuels and, in some cases, this has helped to improve air quality in urban areas. Member States could therefore further promote the use of biofuels in public transport modes” Looking to countries such France, Sweden and Austria who use biofuels in public transport fleets

Biofuel and Alternative Fuels: 

Biofuel and Alternative Fuels Engaging with relevant sectors to explore biofuels and other clean technologies such as hybrid-electric vehicles ‘eco-driving’ or energy-efficient driving behaviour

Fiscal measures to incentivise a shift to clean vehicles: 

Fiscal measures to incentivise a shift to clean vehicles Proposed EU Directive to re-structure passenger car taxation and link to CO2 emissions Average emissions of new passenger cars could be reduced by 5% on average by 2008 as a result Restructuring of company car tax in the UK to CO2 basis has made significant CO2 savings

Cycling and Walking Network: 

Cycling and Walking Network Almost €30m has been spent on provision of cycling facilities in the GDA since 1994 Delivered 220km of cycle lanes for the investment Despite this, cycling has continued to fall – although less so where there has been most investment Support will continue for DTO Traffic Management Grants, which includes provisions for cycling network, under Transport 21

Longer term: 

Longer term The integration of spatial development and transport investment will support more sustainable travel The Department has been involved in developing the Regional Planning Guidelines as part of the National Spatial Strategy Local Authorities are implementing these Regional Planning Guidelines

CASP – integration in action: 

CASP – integration in action Example of successful land-use planning Early and effective engagement with stakeholders (including D/Transport) Symbiotic relationship between transport and land use Appropriate use of rail, bus and cycle solutions Car restraint combined with Park & Ride

Conclusions: 

Conclusions The Department is committed to tackling CO2 emissions from transport Transport sector is a difficult sector in which to achieve emission reductions No one ‘silver bullet’ but a range of solutions need to be addressed The Department will be progressing these items over the coming months