Decision details

To formally adopt the Journey to Net Zero: Reducing the Environmental Impact of Transport in Bath.

In March 2019, B&NES declared a Climate Emergency, which included a commitment to become carbon neutral by 2030. Transport currently accounts for 29% of carbon emissions in the B&NES area. The B&NES Climate Emergency Plan identified the scale of change required to meet the carbon neutrality target. There are many potential pathways to achieving this target. One scenario would require:

·  7% decrease in the number of car journeys across the local authority area

·  25% reduction in kilometres travelled per person by car each year

·  Electric cars: 76% pure battery, 14% petrol hybrid

·  Buses: 76% electric, 24% hybrid

·  Rail: 37% of freight rail is electric, 100% passenger rail is electric

The current ways in which we travel will not get us to carbon neutrality by 2030. This plan sets out the changes needed to decarbonise Bath’s transport system in line with our climate emergency and to create places we want to live and work; with better connected, healthier and genuinely sustainable communities.

The declaration of the climate emergency provides an unparalleled opportunity to look at B&NES as a whole and to develop a coherent, long-term vision and plan for transport in the city. No single mode of transport will be dominant. Instead, people will have a choice between a range of modes of transport – each of them accessible, viable and more sustainable than the private car.

We are committed to doing everything within our power to provide the necessary infrastructure and policies within Bath and the wider North East Somerset District to ensure that we achieve our target of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. However, we cannot do this alone. Our commitment needs to be met with an equal commitment from transport operators, regional and central government to provide the necessary support, funding and powers to make the Journey to Net Zero Plan a reality.

Given the Council’s commitment to addressing our climate emergency there is a need to make significant changes in the way people travel into, out of and around Bath.

The alternative is to maintain the status quo in terms of travel habits which will likely result in higher dependency on private car ownership leading to higher transport emissions and the Council failing to deliver on its Climate Emergency.