Major cities in the Middle East could learn a lesson or two from the city of London, on how to reduce carbon emissions to win the battle against global warming. Other major cities like New York and Manchester are keen to follow the London model by slapping a big tax on gas guzzlers and luxury cars.
In a continued effort to improve its green credentials, the mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, has proposed to increase the congestion charge from GBP8 to GBP25 a day. From October this year, vehicles emitting the highest amounts of CO2 will have to pay more, while the most fuel efficient cars will get into central London free of charge. In the meanwhile, sports car manufacturer Porsche and other claimants, including London businesses and residents, formally launched a High Court challenge to Livingstone's plan.
Even though, some of the sceptics would try to see this move as Livingstone's political ploy to up his re-election hopes, it remains a fact that a public consultation was launched in August 2007 to consider proposals to increase the congestion charge on cars with the highest levels of carbon emissions. The so-called 'Chelsea tractors', some high-powered sports cars and expensive luxury vehicles face the higher charge and also lose their entitlement to the residents' discount if applicable.
According to the World Resources Institute, road transport spews out around 10 per cent of global emissions. Providing incentives to move to more fuel-efficient models is definitely going to cut the exhaust fumes. Livingstone can take credit for making the carrots and sticks policy on automobiles - a big success.
Reacting to the judicial review sought by Porsche, Transport for London (TfL) believes the objections are unfounded. In a press release, TfL explains:
The CO2 Charge is about reducing CO2 emissions from cars driving in central London, whilst reducing congestion. It is quite clear motorists have the choice not to drive a high CO2 emitting car in central London, given the wide range of lower emitting cars available. Along with the higher £25 Charge for the cars emitting the most CO2, there will be a 100 per cent discount for the least emitting.
A recent IPSOS-MORI survey revealed that 61 per cent of Londoners support the proposed £25 CO2 Charge for gas guzzlers driving within the congestion charge zone, with just 29 per cent opposed. It also showed that 67 per cent of Londoners support the 100 per cent discount for those vehicles that emit the lowest levels of carbon dioxide, with only 21 per cent opposed. Six-five per cent of Londoners thought that the package of measures is good for London, while 19 per cent disagree.
Michèle Dix, managing director of planning, TfL, said, "We have already made clear that we believe Porsche's reasons for objecting to the proposed CO2 Charge are unfounded. We believe they should focus their attention on cutting CO2 emissions from the cars they produce, rather than pursuing this pointless legal action which we will vigorously contest when it reaches judicial review."
He added, "We have already seen several motor manufacturers rise to the challenge of cutting CO2 emissions from their cars and Porsche should join them. The principal aim of the scheme remains tackling congestion. The aim of the CO2 Charge element and discount of the scheme is to cut CO2 emissions, through influencing people's car purchasing choices by stimulating the market for low emissions cars and reducing the number of very high CO2 emitting cars driving in central London. At the moment, 17 per cent of cars driving in the charge zone are in Band G, while just 2 per cent are in Bands A and B. We expect to see the number of Band G cars cut significantly over time."
Transport for London believes that the scheme is legal and that TfL has the authority to introduce the CO2 Charge. Their contention is that the scheme will not breach European Law - the scheme affects UK and non-UK vehicles alike. And, the scheme does not infringe on the European Convention on Human Rights as claimed by Porsche.
With 17 per cent of cars currently in the charge zone in Band G and just 2 per cent in Bands A and B the scheme will have a broadly neutral impact on congestion in the short term. However, TfL will monitor the scheme closely to ensure that the benefits of reduced congestion are maintained.
The residents discount will be removed for Band G vehicles as there is no need to drive one of these cars in central London whether you are a resident or not. The use of Band G as a cut off point for the higher charge is reasonable as these are the highest CO2 emitting cars.
The aim of the CO2 Charge element and discount of the scheme is to cut CO2 emissions, through influencing people's car purchasing choices by stimulating the market for low emissions cars and reducing the number of very high CO2 emitting cars driving in central London.
