Road transport contributes far more to East Anglia’s pollution than it does in other parts of the country according to figures from Transport East- the new body representing transport authorities across the region.
In a new report it shows that 41% of carbon emissions in the region come from road transport – the national average is 28%. Industrial activity is responsible for 30% of carbon emissions in the region while households produce 27%.
Nationally 91% of all transport-related carbon emissions come from roads. Railways and planes account for only 1% each, according to a story by the East Anglia Daily Times
Transport East represents Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex highways and transport authorities and is chaired bysenior Essex councillor Kevin Bentley.
The report sayd that people commuting is the largest contributor to road transport emissions in the region. The area’s role as a UK gateway through our ports and airports means freight is also an important area to tackle.
It says that while the pandemic has changed people’s travel patterns over the last six months, this is unlikely to have a long-term effect on the region’s carbon emissions.
It makes several recommendations for how the region can reduce carbon emissions on its transport network including: increasing investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, moving to more rail freight and additional investment in public transport, walking and cycling.
Andrew Reid, Cabinet Member for Highways at Suffolk County Council said: “High carbon emissions not only add to climate change, but also directly affect the health of local people. We are committed to helping government meet its policy of net zero emissions by 2050 by making it easier for people and businesses to shift to cleaner, greener journeys. We will be identifying projects and programmes to facilitate this in our transport strategy.
“We are also calling on government to increase transport investment in the East of England so our partners can deliver existing plans to tackle carbon emissions.”
