Carbon cutting strategy ‘unrealistic’

A key tranche of the government’s plans to cut carbon emissions by reducing driving has been described as unrealistic.

A recent report by the Science and Technology Select Committee, echoed by sitting MPs, has suggested that the best chance for UK citizens to help fight climate change is to stop driving their cars.  

It said that government targets cannot be met through simple changes in technology.  However, the state of British public transport makes it virtually impossible for the majority of people to give up their cars.

Mark Sait, CEO of SaveMoneyCutCarbon, said, ‘Many people are not going to feel comfortable trading in their cars for trains and buses. It is another example of the UK government suggesting that ordinary people make huge, inconvenient life changes.’

SaveMoneyCutCarbon’s ethos is to present ways for people to be kinder to the environment without them having to make major concessions. This, Mark strongly believes, is the key to people making positive changes to the world around us. The news that motorists are being advised to take their cars off the road is, Mark said, a step in the wrong direction.

‘People are, naturally, going to be resistant against making big, uncomfortable changes. That’s one of the reasons why there has been relatively low public interest in carbon control over the past few years.

‘Instead of telling people what they need to cut back on, or sacrifice, we should be looking at more positive options. Money-saving changes at home, for example, such as switching to energy efficient LED bulbs, or installing solar panels, benefit both the owner and the environment. People are going to be more receptive to ideas which actively help them, rather than hinder them. It’s all about sustainability without compromise.

‘Our focus has always been on finding ways for people to save money, while fighting climate change. While removing cars from the road is a good idea in principle, public transport is not yet at a point where it is wholly reliable and cost-effective. For now, we need to pursue more realistic channels to meet UK targets.’