The Urban Transport Group - the UK's network of city region transport authorities - has today welcomed the Committee on Climate Change’s new advice for Government to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050, and specifically its recommendations for the transport sector.

The Committee, the Government’s independent advisors on climate change, set out the new level of ambition in its report Net Zero - The UK's contribution to stopping global warming.

Responding to the report, Jonathan Bray, Director of the Urban Transport Group, said:

“This advice is unequivocal: achieving net zero carbon emissions by the middle of the century is possible and affordable, but national policies must be ramped up to make this target credible.

“Nowhere is this more apparent than in the transport sector – the single biggest contributor of UK greenhouse gases. The Committee has set out a clear route map for how to tackle transport emissions, from stronger ambition on electric cars and vans, further encouragement of walking, cycling and public transport to avoid car dependency, and a rolling programme of rail electrification – measures we support.

“It is also good to see the Committee recognise the key role cities and local authorities play in understanding the needs and opportunities for carbon reduction in their own areas, whilst acknowledging their efforts to reduce emissions can be hampered by a lack of resources. The onus is now on Government to give us the framework and funding we need to fully decarbonise urban transport.”