Technical Fix...or Behavioural Change?

Many people believe that the solutions to transport emissions lie in technology; that improved engine performance or alternative fuels will be developed to overcome the problems of emissions.

While it is true that technology has an important role to play in reducing transport emissions, it is highly unlikely that a solution will be brought forward in the timescales we need.

The Stern Review on the economics of climate change concluded that we have a 10-20 year window to achieve 'atmospheric stabilisation', that 'deep emissions cuts will required in the transport sector', but that 'large scale uptake of clean technologies is unlikely to be possible in the short term'.

Even if such technology existed, it would do nothing to address the congestion problems we currently face.

In the absence of this 'fix' for transport, it can be argued that it falls to us, as travellers, parents, employees and employers, to think about - and make changes to - our travel choices. Encouraging behavioural change is therefore a key.