23.10.06: Enforcing Speed Limit Could Offer 'Quick Win' for Lower Carbon Emissions

A properly enforced 70mph speed limit could cut carbon emissions from road transport by around 1 million tonnes of carbon (MtC) per year by 2010, new research from UKERC is highlighting.

If a 60mph limit were to be introduced, the amount of carbon savings possible, around 1.94MtC a year, would be around double this.  These savings represent between 15% (70mph) and 29% (60mph) of the total savings expected from the transport sector by 2010, as stated in the Climate Change Programme review (CCPR)

UKERC's Dr Jillian Anable said; "Enforcing the upper speed limit could produce environmental benefits and help to raise awareness of the reality of climate change and of the need for everyone to take action on it.  Through measures such as this, the gap between the original emissions target for 2010 and what is currently predicted might be closed."