The Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership

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The Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP) was announced by the UK Government in 2002 [1] [2] as an element of its Powering Future Vehicles Strategy. [3] The purpose of the LowCVP is support reduction of carbon emissions from road transport in the UK with a clear focus on accelerating the adoption of low carbon vehicles and fuels; other strategies for reducing transport carbon emissions, for example modal shift towards cycling and walking or reducing traffic congestion through intelligent transport systems are out of scope and are the preserve of other bodies who are more expert in those fields. The UK government has set a target for reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions [4] and recognises that achieving its target will require emissions from road transport, which are significant, to be cut.

Contents

Organization

The LowCVP is a public-private membership organisation which operates by bringing significant stakeholders together to provide broad-based expert commentary on the issues, to stimulate promising initiatives, and to encourage lower carbon vehicle and fuel technologies and businesses.[ citation needed ] Membership is open to organisations with a stake in the UK's move to low carbon vehicles and fuels who agree with its principles and commitments; some 200 organisations were members in 2015 drawn from industry, academic institutions, consumer groups and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). [ citation needed ] This diversity of stakeholders holding a common interest in low carbon vehicles and fuels, and willing to work together to tackle current issues, is a distinguishing feature of the LowCVP and one of the reasons that it receives UK government funding. LowCVP has a Board of Directors, a Members' Council and a Secretariat.[ citation needed ]

Programmes

The LowCVP has contributed to many relevant issues since it was formed, amongst these the implementation of Vehicle Labelling to inform buyers of the fuel economy of new and used cars, [5] programmes to bring low emission buses into use (such as hybrid buses in London), [6] an evaluation of the success of UK government intervention to promote the development of low carbon vehicle technology, [7] and work to advise government on biofuel issues. [8]

Low Carbon Champions Awards

The organization gives the Low Carbon Champions Awards to celebrate innovation in reducing road transport emissions. The award is one of the few sustainable development awards that are accredited by the Royal Society of the Arts (RSA). [9]

Related Research Articles

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The United Kingdom's Climate Change Programme was launched in November 2000 by the British government in response to its commitment agreed at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The 2000 programme was updated in March 2006 following a review launched in September 2004.

Sustainable transport Sustainable transport in the senses of social, environmental and climate impacts

Sustainable transport refers to ways of transportation that are sustainable in terms of their social and environmental impacts. Components for evaluating sustainability include the particular vehicles used for road, water or air transport; the source of energy; and the infrastructure used to accommodate the transport. Transport operations and logistics as well as transit-oriented development are also involved in evaluation. Transportation sustainability is largely being measured by transportation system effectiveness and efficiency as well as the environmental and climate impacts of the system. Transport systems have significant impacts on the environment, accounting for between 20% and 25% of world energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. The majority of the emissions, almost 97%, came from direct burning of fossil fuels. Greenhouse gas emissions from transport are increasing at a faster rate than any other energy using sector. Road transport is also a major contributor to local air pollution and smog.

Green vehicle

A green vehicle, clean vehicle, eco-friendly vehicle or environmentally friendly vehicle is a road motor vehicle that produces less harmful impacts to the environment than comparable conventional internal combustion engine vehicles running on gasoline or diesel, or one that uses certain alternative fuels. Presently, in some countries the term is used for any vehicle complying or surpassing the more stringent European emission standards, or California's zero-emissions vehicle standards, or the low-carbon fuel standards enacted in several countries.

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Carbon footprint Environmental impact

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Food miles Distance food is transported from production to consumption

Food miles is the distance food is transported from the time of its making until it reaches the consumer. Food miles are one factor used when testing the environmental impact of food, such as the carbon footprint of the food.

Contraction and Convergence

Contraction and Convergence (C&C) is a proposed global framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change. Conceived by the Global Commons Institute [GCI] in the early 1990s, the Contraction and Convergence strategy consists of reducing overall emissions of greenhouse gases to a safe level (contraction), resulting from every country bringing its emissions per capita to a level which is equal for all countries (convergence). It is intended to form the basis of an international agreement which will reduce carbon dioxide emissions to avoid dangerous climate change, carbon dioxide being the gas that is primarily responsible for changes in the greenhouse effect on Earth. It is expressed as a simple mathematical formula. This formula can be used as a way for the world to stabilize carbon levels at any level. Advocates of Contraction and Convergence stress that negotiations at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change [UNFCCC] are governed sequentially by the 'objective' of the UNFCCC [safe and stable GHG concentration in the global atmosphere] followed by its organising principles ['precaution' and 'equity']. C&C is widely cited and supported.

Various energy conservation measures are taken in the United Kingdom.

Energy policy of the United Kingdom Overview of the energy policy of the United Kingdom

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Directive 2003/30/EC Directive promoting biofuel usage

Directive 2003/30/EC was a European Union directive for promoting the use of biofuels for EU transport. The directive entered into force in May 2003, and stipulated that national measures must be taken by countries across the EU aiming at replacing 5.75% of all transport fossil fuels with biofuels by 2010. The directive also called for an intermediate target of 2% by 31 December 2005. The target of 5.75% was to be met by 31 December 2010. These percentages were to be calculated on the basis of energy content of the fuel and were to apply to petrol and diesel fuel for transport purposes placed on the markets of member states. Member states were encouraged to take on national "indicative" targets in conformity with the overall target.

Low-carbon economy Economy based on energy sources with low levels of greenhouse gas emissions

A low-carbon economy (LCE) or decarbonised economy is an economy based on energy sources that produce low levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. GHG emissions due to human activity are the dominant cause of observed climate change since the mid-20th century. Continued emission of greenhouse gases will cause long-lasting changes around the world, increasing the likelihood of severe, pervasive, and irreversible effects for people and ecosystems. Shifting to a low-carbon economy on a global scale could bring substantial benefits both for developed and developing countries. Many countries around the world are designing and implementing low-emission development strategies (LEDS). These strategies seek to achieve social, economic, and environmental development goals while reducing long-term greenhouse gas emissions and increasing resilience to the effects of climate change.

Greenhouse gas emissions Sources and amounts of greenhouse gases emitted to the atmosphere from human activities

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Low-carbon fuel standard Rule to reduce carbon intensity of transportation fuels

A low-carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a rule enacted to reduce carbon intensity in transportation fuels as compared to conventional petroleum fuels, such as gasoline and diesel. The most common low-carbon fuels are alternative fuels and cleaner fossil fuels, such as natural gas. The main purpose of a low-carbon fuel standard is to decrease carbon dioxide emissions associated with vehicles powered by various types of internal combustion engines while also considering the entire life cycle, in order to reduce the carbon footprint of transportation.

Low emission buses in London

There are 3,854 hybrid buses, 785 battery electric buses, and 22 hydrogen fuel cell buses operating in London, as of March 2022, out of a total bus fleet of 8,795 - this is around 9% of the bus fleet.

Individual action on climate change What people can do personally to help stop global warming

Individual action on climate change can include personal choices in many areas, such as diet, means of long- and short-distance travel, household energy use, consumption of goods and services, and family size. Individuals can also engage in local and political advocacy around issues of climate change. As of 2020, emissions budgets are uncertain but estimates of the annual average carbon footprint per person required to meet the target of limiting global warming to 2 degrees by 2100 are all below the world average of about 5 tonnes CO2-equivalent. And to meet 1.5 degrees 2.3 tonnes annual average is required by 2030. According to 66% of respondents to an EU climate survey, climate change will still be a severe concern by 2050.

Cenex

Cenex, the Low Carbon and Fuel Cells Centre of Excellence, is an independent non-proft research and consultancy that helps private and public sector organisations devise ULEV strategies. Founded in 2005, Cenex is headquartered in Loughborough, United Kingdom.

References

  1. ↑ "House of Commons Hansard Written Ministerial Statements for 15 Oct 2003 (pt 2)".
  2. ↑ Committee, House of Commons, Environmental Audit (2006). Reducing carbon emissions from transport: ninth report of Session 2005-06. London: Stationery Office. p. 31. ISBN   0215030427.
  3. ↑ http://www.lowcvp.org.uk/assets/reports/DfT%20Powering%20Future%20Vehicles%20Strategy%20-%20July%202002.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  4. ↑ "2010 to 2015 government policy: greenhouse gas emissions".
  5. ↑ "Energy Efficiency Policies & Measures Database, Graph and Summary Table" (PDF).
  6. ↑ https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/382165/30m-bus-scheme.pdf [ dead link ]
  7. ↑ http://www.lowcvp.org.uk/assets/reports/Investing%20in%20the%20low%20carbon%20journey%20-%20FULL%20REPORT.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  8. ↑ "House of Commons - Environmental Audit - Minutes of Evidence".
  9. ↑ "LowCVP: Shortlist announced for 2014 Low Carbon Champions Awards!". Automotive World. 3 September 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
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