Climate change

Clouds

Headline Messages:

Climate change threatens the future of our way of life and economy, as well as our health and the natural environment so greatly treasured by cyclists. There is little doubt among informed scientists that greenhouse emissions from human activity are already contributing to an increase in extreme weather events and loss of life around the world. To delay tackling climate change will be far more costly than acting now.
Cycling provided highly efficient mobility before the adoption of carbon-intensive travel became widespread, and is part of the solution for a low-carbon future. It is one of the simplest lifestyle choices that individuals can make to reduce their carbon footprint. It also has huge benefits for their health, their wallets and their neighbourhoods.
Government bodies and businesses should act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transport, by encouraging cycling as a zero-carbon option and by reducing the need to travel.

CTC View (formal statement of CTC's policy):

The imperative to halt and reverse the growth of greenhouse emissions should be the central aim of wider transport, planning and economic policies, locally, regionally and nationally.
Cycling should be promoted as a zero-carbon transport option that can deliver worthwhile carbon savings, together with many other benefits, at very low cost.
For longer distance journeys – including international travel in Europe – the combination of cycle travel with public transport should be facilitated.
Transport projects and development proposals that are predicted (or are likely) to increase greenhouse gas emissions should be rejected, and low-carbon alternatives developed instead.
The aims of reducing the need to travel, and of promoting cycling and other low-carbon alternatives to the car, should be a central objective for all relevant development agencies and local authorities.
The Government should oblige local authorities to make their contribution towards meeting the targets set by the Climate Change Act and progress should be reported and monitored effectively. Voluntary action alone is not sufficient.

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Publication Date:

September 2012

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