HGVs carbon footprint equivalent to all UK air travel, buses and shipping combined, new report claims

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Despite accounting for only 1 per cent of all vehicles on Britain’s roads, HGVs are responsible for 20 per cent of the UK’s transport emissions – roughly equivalent to all UK air travel, buses and shipping combined. The Green Finance Institute, who commissioned the research, said a lack of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles and high costs were holding the sector back from decarbonising the UK’s HGV fleet. Lauren Pamma, programme director at the GFI, said: “Heavy Goods Vehicles make up a significant proportion of the UK’s total carbon emissions, despite accounting for only 1 per cent of vehicles on UK roads. “These include utilisation linked finance and shared charging infrastructure agreements that will particularly help SMEs, which own half the UK’s HGV fleet but struggle to secure green financing and need additional support.” Chris Ashley, head of policy in environment and vehicles at the Road Haulage Association, said: “This report from the Green Finance Institute is a timely and welcome contribution to address how the UK finances the decarbonisation of its HGV fleet.