Today, KAMPAGNER will warn world leaders not to rely on technology alone to adequately reduce traffic emissions.
With COP26’s focus today on transport, the UK’s largest source of emissions, the Sustainable Transport Alliance (STA) warns against giving priority to only electric vehicles (EV) in order to reduce harmful emissions.
At the Glasgow Summit, the organization will warn that reducing traffic and switching to public and local transport, walking, cycling and shared mobility must be an important climate goal that will unleash far-reaching benefits for health, wellbeing and social justice can.
Today’s event in Glasgow brings together both the UK and Scottish Governments and the Glasgow City Council, with speakers including Scottish Green Minister Patrick Harvie; Bernadette Kelly, Permanent Secretary to the UK Department of Transport and Anna Richardson, Glasgow City Commissioner for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction.
Jools Townsend, Chair of the Sustainable Transport Alliance, said: “The inspiring activists and change makers from around the world who delved into COP26 have highlighted how we must put people, communities and justice first in addressing the climate crisis . and this is especially true for transport.
“The evidence is clear that we cannot put all our trust in electric cars – we need a more fundamental change in the way we get around, and we can gain a lot from it.”
“By focusing on a shift towards public, shared and local transportation, on foot and by bike, we can create healthier, happier communities and more equitable access to opportunity without the emissions and environmental problems of making millions more cars to aggravate.
“We are proud to join forces with our NGO partners at COP26 to showcase action and raise the voices of communities across the UK working towards a greener, better and more inclusive transport future.”
Scottish Conservative traffic spokesman Graham Simpson, speaking at COP26 today, will also question the SNP government’s pledge to provide enough electric vehicle chargers to meet demand.
Mr Simpson will claim that if the SNP government continues rollout at the current pace, drivers will be stuck on public roads and unable to charge their vehicles.
He said: “The SNP is losing the argument for moving away from gasoline and diesel cars by not providing the charging infrastructure.
“The SNP government does not understand that we have to go hand in hand to promote the introduction of electric vehicles. With current progress, it could take around 45 years – instead of nine – to reach the goal of 30,000 chargers. ”
“Despite significant public investment, this research shows that drivers will struggle to charge the electric vehicles that encouraged them to buy.
“By failing to live up to its own ambitions, the SNP misses another climate protection target.”
