TRANSPORT AND UK ENERGY POLICY

The interaction between transport and UK energy policy has changed over time in response to fluctuations in economic and social priorities and as technology and scientific knowledge has developed. The key link between current UK transport and energy policies is via the environmental concern over the damage associated with CO₂ emissions. Transport is a major and growing contributor to global warming gas emissions and, while other forms of environmental damage may be reduced by various forms of technological end-of-pipe treatments, quick-fix technical solutions to the CO₂ problem are not available. This contribution outlines the main underlying issues associated with the links between transport, energy and the environment, sets out potential policy responses and discusses recent UK policy initiatives.