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Climate Change. It’s time to Act.

This Issue:: Low Carbon Cars; Smarter Choices; Green Car Guide Live 2008; Greener Driving

The Northwest Climate Change Action Plan Newsletter
June 2008

Welcome to the first of a series of bi-monthly E-newsletters from the North West Climate Change Partnership.

The E-newsletters will be brief and will bring you climate change related stories, details of related events and updates on the delivery of "Rising to the Challenge", the North West Climate Change Action Plan. It will also point you to information sources on important climate change themes such as green transport, the main theme of this edition.

If you want to know more about the North West Climate Change Partnership and the Action Plan, please visit our website: www.climatechangenorthwest.co.uk

If you wish to opt out of receiving future editions of this E-newsletter please unsubscribe here.

Low Carbon Cars

Reducing CO₂ emissions from road transport requires action from everyone. The King Review examined the vehicle and fuel technologies that could help 'decarbonise' road transport. Part One of the Review, published in late 2007, set out recommendations for action in four key areas: reducing vehicle emissions; cleaner fuels; consumer behaviour; and research and development.

Part Two, published earlier this year, picks up on these challenges and recommends actions for government, business and consumers to realise this potential, put CO₂ the heart of policy making and make a real change. To find out more about these recommendations and discover how the UK could be at the forefront of low CO₂ automotive developments, visit the HM Treasury's website: www.green-car-guide.com

Smarter Choices

Transport initiatives are not all about high level policy decisions and research into cleaner fuels. In recent years, there has been growing interest in a range of initiatives, widely described as 'soft' transport policy measures. These aim to provide information and opportunities to help people choose to reduce their car use while outlining the benefits and attractiveness of the alternatives. This can include workplace and school travel plans; personalised travel planning; travel awareness campaigns; public transport information and marketing; car clubs and car sharing schemes; and teleworking, teleconferencing and home shopping. Visit www.climatechangenorthwest.com for more info.

The importance of these is obvious. Getting cars off the road altogether makes a real difference to emissions levels as well as people's quality of life. If you want to know more about making Smarter Choices, go to: www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/sustainable/smarterchoices

Green Car Guide Live 2008

With the price of fuel increasing and increasing concern over the level of CO₂ emissions, the Green Car Guide Live show provides the perfect opportunity to see the latest class-leading low emission vehicles in one place. From petrol, diesel, biofuel and hybrid, cars, vans and trucks in all shapes and sizes will be on display. There will also be a programme of seminars to get you up to speed on the latest innovations. Visit www.green-car-guide.com to book your place.

Greener Driving

Even the most environmentally aware among us may need a new car at some point in the future. When you go out and make that decision, CLICK HERE for a some things to think about to help you make the greenest choice.

Consider the car you want - smaller cars tend to be more fuel efficient and emit less CO₂ so, ask yourself what you really need the car for.
The engine - once you've chosen your car, consider the engine. Most models offer a range of engines that vary in fuel efficiency and CO₂ emissions.
Petrol or diesel? - engines powered by diesel generally produce less CO₂ but more air pollutants than their petrol counterparts. So, if you do a lot of long distance driving consider a diesel engine, but if you potter round town then a petrol engine might be better.
Check the label - most new cars have colour-coded fuel efficiency rating, like fridges and washing machines, with A and B representing cars that emit the least CO₂ and have lower car tax.
Fuel efficiency - ask your car sales staff about the efficiency and environmental performance of your chosen car and the helpful extras available.
Be a smarter driver - there are smarter ways to drive your car that help to improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO₂ emissions such as keeping tyres properly inflated and not over revving.

More News

The Northwest Improvement and Efficiency Partnership The North West Improvement and Efficiency Partnership (NWIEP) has been created from the North West Improvement Network (NWIN) and the North West Centre of Excellence (NWCE). One of the areas highlighted in their strategy is to support the climate change agenda by assisting Local Strategic Partnerships to deliver carbon reductions. Visit www.nwce.gov.uk for more info.
Measures to reduce Northwest Greenhouse Emissions An innovative research study which is trying to identify how, by 2020, the NW can reduce the amount of carbon it emits every year by 20 million tonnes. We are holding 5 consultation events, 1 in each sub-region throughout June to discuss these measures. If you would like to find out more please email Ailsa Gibson at: ailsa.gibson@nwra.gov.uk	Adaptation, Impacts and responses The project will review the previous regional climate change impact scoping studies and assess the implications of new emerging climate change scenarios. Its principle aim will be to provide an authoritative guidance package on the future impacts of climate change and identify a range of adaptation responses for the key regional businesses and public sector services. Email: paul.needham@environment-agency.gov.uk for more info.
Envirolink International Trade Strategy Consulant Innovas has now assessed the strengths of the Northwest Environmental Technology and Services (ETS) sector and indicated how best to target overseas markets that have weaknesses in this area, whilst also assessing where the Northwest ETS sector has weaknesses to effectively target inward investment. Sub-regional dissemination workshops, regional strategy development and subsequent overseas trade missions to follow. Visit: www.envirolinknorthwest.co.uk	Low Carbon Map of Northwest Under development as part of the Climate Change Northwest website. The map will be an interactive resource of the region's low-carbon and renewable energy installations with signposting to further information.
Potential off-shore wind farm sites announced. The Crown Estate has launched its round 3 leasing programme for the delivery of up to 25 GW (gigawatts) of new offshore windfarm sites by 2020. Several of the potential sites are off the North West coast. For more details see the Crown Estates release and the Times story.

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