Cardiff fuel protest: Climate change is the real energy crisis

Friends of the Earth campaigners will attend the fuel protest in Cardiff on Saturday to highlight the need for tough Government measures to reduce our dependence on oil. The environmental campaign group says that this would benefit consumers, the economy and the environment.

Friends of the Earth Cymru director Julian Rosser, who will attend the protest, said:

'Concerns about rising fuel prices are understandable. But unless we end our addiction to oil and switch to alternative fuels and new technologies this issue will not go away. Burning oil is one of the biggest contributors to global climate change, the biggest environmental threat the planet faces, and uncertainty in the Middle East may cause further rises in the price of oil. For the sake of our economy and the environment, our reliance on oil must end.'

The UK must be weaned off its addiction to oil because:

• Burning oil is a major contributor to global climate change, the biggest environmental threat the planet faces. Levels of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas, rose by 1.5 per cent last year despite Government promises to reduce them.

• The oil market appears to be becoming increasingly volatile as tensions remain high in the Middle East. This may lead to future uncertainty about oil supply and sudden increases in oil and petrol prices. This will affect consumers and motorists and lead to political and economic instability.

Friends of the Earth is calling on the Government to adopt the following measures:

Ensure that the motor industry makes and sells more fuel-efficient vehicles Motor vehicles could be significantly more fuel efficient than they currently are. New cars are generally more fuel-efficient than older models, but the motor industry is unlikely to meet its voluntary pledge for new cars sold in Europe to have average emissions of 140 grams per kilometre by 2008/9. Last year new cars sold in the UK emitted, on average 172.8 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre. New targets should be introduced and made legally-binding.

Introduce financial and legal incentives to promote biofuels Biofuels are renewable and, compared to petrol or diesel, offer up to a 70 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. Some biofuels can be readily used by vehicles, others will require cars being adapted. Biofuels can also be added as a mix to oil-based fuel. Friends of the Earth is supporting calls for the Energy Bill, currently progressing through Parliament, to be amended to ensure that petrol suppliers source an increasing percentage of their products from renewable sources.

Greater support for public transport, walking and cycling Despite Government promises, traffic levels continue to rise. The Government is currently reviewing its 10 year transport plan and is expected to announce new priorities and spending plans next month. This must include more investment in providing alternatives to car use rather than more road-building and motorway-widening. Friends of the Earth is part of the Way To Go coalition of 29 transport, environment and social justice organisations (http://www.waytogo.org.uk/)

Financial incentives to encourage motorists to use their cars less. According to the latest Government figures motoring costs have fallen by 4.8% since Labour came to office (whilst rail costs have gone up three per cent and bus travel by 8.2 per cent) Motoring is also cheaper now in real terms, than it was 30 years ago [2]. Friends of the Earth wants the Chancellor to use fuel tax to ensure that motoring costs do not fall further, and instead starts to reflect the true environmental cost of driving. This will encourage people to buy more fuel-efficient cars and discourage unnecessary car journeys. Congestion charging - which has led to a 19 per cent fall in emissions of carbon dioxide in London's congestion zone, as well as a 30 per cent reduction in congestion - should also be introduced to other areas.

Friends of the Earth appreciates that higher fuel costs may have an impact on people who rely on their car, and is calling on the Government to investigate the use of tax rebates and other measures to help those most affected in rural areas.

Higher road taxes for gas-guzzling vehicles. The Chancellor has cut road tax for the most fuel efficient vehicles. Friends of the Earth is calling for him to raise tax levels for the most fuel-inefficient cars.

More support for rail freight Since 1990, emissions of climate-changing gases from the freight industry have risen by 59%. The Government must do more to get freight on rail by investing in rail freight infrastructure and reintroducing grants to encourage businesses to switch from road to rail freight.

Introduce demand management measures for aviation Emissions of carbon dioxide from aviation are set to rise rapidly in coming years following the Government's recent decision to allow a massive expansion in air travel. By 2020 aviation could account for 10-12% of all UK emissions of carbon dioxide. Urgent action is needed to introduce measures to manage demand for aviation including making airlines pay tax on the fuel the use, which they currently do not.

Notes

[1] www.sustainable-development.gov.uk/ ¬
sustainable/quality04/maind/04n03.htm

[2] www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/ ¬
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