A CONSULTATION launched this week on the North of England Decarbonisation Strategy, setting out ambitious targets for near-zero surface transport carbon by 2045.

The Strategy for the North of England went out to public consultation on Monday, June 7, giving people across North Yorkshire the chance to have their say on ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions from surface transport.

It is the first time a regional strategy of this type has been produced, bringing together the region’s leaders to speak out with one voice on the climate emergency.

The strategy, developed by the region’s political and business leaders through Transport for the North (TfN), sets out the ambitious goal of achieving near-zero carbon emissions from surface transport by 2045.

It highlights how the region aims to go beyond national policy and why coordination at a regional level will provide the best outcomes.

North Yorkshire County Councillor Don Mackenzie, Executive Member for Access, said: “The County Council fully supports TfN’s proposed Decarbonisation Strategy.

“Our county is the largest in the country and residents often have to travel long distances just to reach destinations within North Yorkshire. That is why we support improvements in public transport whenever we can to offer alternatives to the private car. We also continue to expand opportunities for safe sustainable travel, and to invest in the county’s digital infrastructure to improve broadband and mobile phone reception.”

Surface transport is the largest contributing sector to greenhouse gas emissions in the UK – accounting for 22 per cent of all emissions in 2019. The majority (95 per cent) of this is from road transport, so opportunities around electric and alternative fuel vehicles are a key part of the developing strategy.

However, moving towards decarbonisation is not simply about lowering carbon emissions from traditional road vehicles – it can also mean making the most of opportunities such as technological advances to enhance the wider transport network and improve connectivity.

Among the potential actions and areas of focus the strategy considers are: Zero emission vehicles; the decarbonisation of the rail network through electrification; the use of hydrogen and alternative fuel vehicles; encouraging more sustainable ways of travelling; opportunities for decarbonisation in the freight industry; carbon reduction when projects are built; How TfN’s four ‘Future Travel Scenarios’ could present challenges and opportunities for decarbonising transport.

To find out more visit: www.transportforthenorth.com/decarbonisation/

The consultation closes at 12pm on Tuesday, August 31, 2021.