Policy Recommendations

POWER policy experts and the Regional Correspondents analysed project results and worked together to identify and formulate macro policy recommendations for each theme. Clearly the themes are fundamentally interrelated, and a holistic approach needs to be taken. For each of the themes, micro-level and technical recommendations can be found in the evidence produced by the subprojects.

This section of the report summarises, by theme, some of the recommended actions and policy changes that would make a difference to a region’s ability to achieve a low carbon economy. As the themes are so closely linked, some of the recommendations appear in more than one section. Some of the recommendations are for local and regional authorities whilst others are more relevant to National or EU level policy makers. The important thing is to recognise the multiplicity of actors involved and the different levels at which policy changes are necessary.

Sustainable Transport

Transport systems have significant impacts on the environment, accounting for between 20% and 25% of world energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. Greenhouse gas emissions from transport are increasing at a faster rate than any other energy using sector. The Sustainable Transport projects in POWER focused on policy relating to means of transport with low environmental impact, which included walking and cycling, transit oriented development, green vehicles, car sharing, and building or protecting urban transport systems that are fuel-efficient, space-saving and promote healthy lifestyles.

Support the development and uptake of cleaner and more efficient vehicles - both electric and bio fuel vehicles - including in public fleets
Always measure sustainability with the well to wheel concept from production, to use, to scrappage, to have a comprehensive understanding of all impacts
Use policy tools to stimulate the deployment of Electric Vehicles, for example through the development of Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans in the regions, bulk procurement, new business models and better standardisation
Implement traffic management schemes such as a ‘road diet’ to slim the proportion dedicated to car use - and improve public transport and safer bike lanes
Add eco-driving qualifications as a requirement for contractors in the region’s supply chains. Eco-driving can reduce C02 by between 10-15%
Support carbon proofing of EU funding, and encourage the new EU Structural Funds to assess the carbon footprint of interventions they support
Make better use of existing data to analyse and find the most effective sustainable transport solutions
Support the uptake of cleaner and more efficient vehicles - both electric and bio fuel vehicles, including in public fleets
Focus on reducing both the number and length of trips - limit urban sprawl, promote home working, assess commuting distances and discourage long-distance commutes
Develop mobility management measures
Make sustainable road transport an integrated part of city investment plans
Use a mix of labelling, zoning, incentives, technological development and regulations to bring about a change in travel habits
Promote public transport, car-sharing and intermodality - make them affordable, attractive options
Don’t be afraid to question the word mobility. A better word is 'accessibility' to services - and it may not be necessary to move around so much to do that
And finally - get walking!