RESEARCHERS in York have made a major breakthrough in the battle against climate change and identified methods to massively reduce UK transport carbon emissions.
A study carried out at the University of York’s Stockholm Environment Institute, has suggested measures could be implemented which would cut greenhouse gases by 76 per cent by 2050.
Recommendations of the study included creating neighbourhoods and communities where it is possible to reach destinations on foot or by bicycle and public transport, regionalisation of production and consumption to bring about reductions in road freight, and increases in the cost of transport to implement the so-called “polluter pays principle”.
Other recommendations, which the study called “radical, but achievable”, included full de-carbonisation of the UK electricity supply system, and conversion of all cars to plug in electric vehicles or hydrogen fuel cells using de-carbonised electricity.
Professor John Whitelegg, of the Stockholm Environment Institute, said the results have the potential to significantly improve the country.
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