Low Carbon Transport is entering the most radical period in its recent history. ‘Towards a Greener Fleet 2012’ will be a chance to hear from experts involved in sustainable transport and the transition to low carbon vehicles (LCT).
 

In the last few years the Scottish Government has set a number of targets and announced a raft of initiatives that aim to propel LCT into the mainstream of the Scottish transport experience. Scotland is set to reduce its carbon emissions by forty-two per cent by 2020 and transport has been sighted as the area of greatest concern.
 

The Scottish Government has announced £4.2million of additional funding to encourage public bodies to use low carbon vehicles, which means more focus than ever on LCT and the ‘Green Fleet’ project. The additional money has allowed the purchase of one hundred and forty five low-carbon vehicles, including cars, vans and street sweepers, by Scotland’s public services, as well as the installation of seventy four charging points across the country. Whilst the current economic climate means that original thinking must be at the heart of any public sector reform, there are significant changes taking place with regards their attitude to LCT.

The Government has set a series of ambitious targets aimed at reducing emissions and it is clear that work remains to be done in order to ensure these are met. The economic reality and the public’s perception of LCT as being expensive and inaccessible mean that progress has proven difficult.

Scotland’s public sector has been asked to take the lead in this seismic change of cultural convention but with rising fuel costs already placing an enormous burden on budgets, the cost of conversion to greener modes of transport and providing infrastructure that works in the long-term are proving to be major challenges.

The difficulties involved in maintaining steady progress towards these targets are significant. A long term solution is required that not only helps Scotland reach its targets but also changes perceptions. Infrastructure is all well and good but if no one uses it then it runs the risk of fading into obscurity. Work remains to be done to counter the cynicism that can surround green issues if this transition is to work on a level more profound than we have already seen.

This Holyrood magazine conference is an opportunity to hear from some of those central to the decision making process as we bring together experts in green technology and transport infrastructure to discuss the exciting challenges involved in creating the ‘green fleet.’

At a time when finance is a major issue and at the heart of almost every major decision taken in the public sector. ‘Towards a Greener Fleet’ is an ideal opportunity for decision-makers in finance, estate management, energy, and environment throughout the public sector to hear from experts involved with sustainable transport and the transition to low carbon vehicles.