§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what studies he has carried out to determine what level of road traffic growth is compatible with the commitments made by the United Kingdom Government under the 1992 framework convention on climate change, the 1992 convention on biological diversity and the Rio declaration on environment and development; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Atkins[holding answer 21 April 1994]: Under the framework convention on climate change, the United Kingdom is committed to take measures aimed at returning the emission of greenhouse gases to 1990 levels by the year 2000. The United Kingdom climate change programme includes a commitment to real increases in road fuel duties of at least 5 per cent. in future Budgets. This is expected to contribute 2.5 millions of tonnes of carbon to the overall target of reducing emissions by 10 millions of tonnes of carbon by 2000. The calculation is based on an econometric model developed by the Department of Transport in consultation with DOE.
As the recently published "Sustainable Development Strategy and Biodiversity Action Plan" make clear, the Government will take full account of sustainable development and biodiversity implications when formulating and reviewing its transport policies.