Oral Question to the Secretary of State for Transport regarding carbon emissions and biofuels

Speech by Norman Lamb MP on Tue 16th Nov 2004

Norman Lamb: If he will make a statement on carbon dioxide emissions from road transport. [Question number: 198104]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Mr. David Jamieson): Road transport is responsible for about 20 per cent. of the UK's total carbon dioxide emissions. We have already introduced a comprehensive range of measures to reduce the impact of transport on the environment. We will consider the scope for further measures as part of the review of the climate change programme.

Norman Lamb: The Government have clearly stated their commitment to tackling climate change, yet total greenhouse gas emissions from all forms of road transport increased by about 13 per cent. between 1990 and 2002. The development of biofuels could make a significant impact on the Department's problem, so will the Minister and the Secretary of State press the Chancellor to take decisive action in the pre-Budget report this autumn to kick-start the industry? There is great frustration that nothing effective is happening to get things going.

Mr. Jamieson: It is true that, since 1990, emissions of carbon dioxide from transport have risen by 10 per cent., but traffic has increased by 24 per cent., which is a measure of our successful economy under this Government. The hon. Gentleman mentions biofuels, which do have the potential to reduce CO 2 from transport. But we must ensure that we get a benefit for UK agriculture and do not take action that sucks in imports, and we must ensure security of supply by getting biofuels provided from this country. The hon. Gentleman knows that we consulted on the way forward on this issue earlier this year and we are looking very closely at the results. Already, as he knows, we have reduced the tax on biodiesel to 20p per litre, and on 1 January the tax on bioethanol will also be reduced to 20p per litre. That is some of the progress that we are making and further announcements will be made shortly.