New Green Party transport policy aims for 75% cut in carbon emissions within ten years

The Green Party's revised transport policy, approved at its Autumn Conference, sets out a radical programme to transform transport in England & Wales. The proposed measures would aim to reduce carbon emissions by around 75% within a decade by reducing travel and expanding electrification of all modes. The party says the measures would also hugely reduce transport's impacts on road danger and health while delivering a more equitable society. 

Among a raft of ambitious initiatives, the policies include: 

• Transforming road and public transport A step change away from car dependency, with major investment in better buses and rail. It aims for a 50% increase in rail travel and more frequent and reliable bus services, connecting homes with jobs, education, shops, healthcare. The policy also opposes almost all new road building. 

• Making Active Travel the natural choice Safe, high-quality walking, wheeling and cycling networks, using road space reallocated from private motor vehicles. The policy aims for at least half of journeys in England's towns and cities to be by active travel within five years, compared to a third in 2025. 

• Fairer and cleaner aviation Reduce demand for passenger and freight flights, halt airport expansion, and ensure those who take the most polluting and unnecessary flights contribute the most. The policy specifically targets private jets, premium-class travel, and frequent flyers, while supporting cleaner alternatives and sustainable aviation. 

Green Party parliamentary spokesperson on transport, Sian Berry MP, said:  

For too long transport policy has focused on moving vehicles rather than enabling people to get where they need to go. Our new policy is about giving everyone genuine choices reliable and affordable public transport, safe walking, wheeling and cycling, and communities where owning a car isn't a prerequisite for participating fully in society. 

We also need to tackle transport's contribution to the climate crisis in an equitable and fair way. That means providing attractive alternatives to car and air travel, moving more freight onto rail and electrification. Those responsible for the most polluting and unnecessary journeys, including users of private jets and frequent flyers, will make the greatest contribution. 

Co-convenors of the policy, Jeremy Drew and Mark Strong, said: 

We have worked hard with an expert team of professionals and academics to revise our policy. It sets out measures to achieve a 75% reduction in transport carbon emissions within ten years, while making it easier for people and businesses to choose cleaner and healthier alternatives, which will improve not just transport but wider society.