Local authority fleet-mix data should be available to aid the future introduction of carbon-reduction measures in councils, according to a report on local and regional climate change, commissioned by the Department for Transport.
The DfT?Local and Regional Climate Change Research Report said data – which would ideally include the fleet profile by vehicle age, engine size and fuel type including hybrids and electric – could be provided for each local authority “relatively easily and cheaply” by the DVLA.
“Provision of this data across the country would help eliminate weaknesses of the current monitoring approaches by a) using the true local fleet mix, b) picking up any local changes in the fleet-mix over time and c) improving the standardisation of the CO2 estimate and monitoring processes,” said the study.
It added that such data would be a “relevant and important point” if local measures such as encouraging low-carbon vehicles are introduced.
The report also recommended the creation of a DfT carbon tool, which would help local councils assess the impact and improvement of emissions.
Essex County Council was applauded for its 7% reduction in CO2 between 2008 and 2010 through initiatives diminishing the need to travel and through “greening essential fleet use”. The report added that car sharing and teleconferencing were encourage to reduce business mileage, and low-emission vehicles were purchased.
Gateshead Council was also mentioned after reducing CO2 by 300 tonnes per year between 2007 and 2008, achieved by speed-limiting new vehicles, low rolling-resistant tyres and CO2 caps on new cars.
