Coventry: Low on carbon, high on ambition

Road transport produces a significant proportion of the UK’s CO2 emissions and two-thirds of that comes from cars. Despite all the reduction targets and ingenuity from automotive manufacturers, if we continue to put more cars on the road and those cars continue to do more miles, the net effect will not be the reduction in overall CO2 emissions that appears essential for the future of mankind.

That was the startling conclusion from a recent event at the Ricoh Arena that saw presentations from the automotive industry, the legal sector and Coventry City Council. The city is ambitious for change, working with the Coventry Partnership, to transform a vision of a low carbon city into reality. The city has clear direction, strong leadership and the foresight to engage with key partners that share the same vision for the future of the city and the wider region.

Martineau partner, Clive Read, who chaired the event at Yorkshire Bank said:”We need a co-ordinated and complementary approach - the technological innovations which Jaguar are making to cut carbon emissions and improve efficiency is just one important aspect. Coventry is addressing others by improving the city's connectivity, traffic flows and building fabric." The event offered valuable insight into how the future of the car, our cities and our desire to cut carbon emissions are inextricably linked; showing that coalition of thought is not the sole preserve of government.

Martin Dowson, Manager Hybrid Vehicles at Jaguar Land Rover explained how carbon reduction targets were driving innovation, but required technological advancement to keep pace with the speed of reform. He acknowledged the automotive industry faces huge challenges to make alternative energy sources like electric motors and hydrogen fuel cells cost effective and appealing to consumers.

Head of the automotive group at Martineau, Ben Thornber, explained how the change of government had cast doubt on some of the previous government’s plans. There was a general consensus that the new coalition would endorse many ‘green’ transport initiatives. These include Low Carbon Economic Areas, the automotive assistance programme and grants for consumers to purchase plug-in electric cars. There remains, of course, the question of how the electricity will be produced to charge up electric cars and who will pay for the necessary infrastructure: this elicits a whole new set of challenges.

Coventry City Council’s plans for the future of the city were mapped out by Martin Yardley, Director of City Services and Development in an entertaining and thought-provoking presentation. In a perfect example of joined-up thinking he explained: “Coventry is seizing this massive opportunity to change its infrastructure and the way people move round the city. Working with our partners, we are committed to delivering a vision for the city which is not only low carbon, but which makes it a much more attractive place to shop, work, live and play in."

However, Martin acknowledged the fact that cities need to be attractive to the local populace and fulfil their every need, otherwise there is little point reducing the carbon emissions from individual cars if people have to drive farther to get what they want.

Clive Read concluded: “In the fight to cut carbon emissions, if we are to see real change, then the decision makers from the local business community, designers, transport planners, manufacturers, investors and users have to come together for the success of their businesses and the future of our planet. This new confident Coventry is a shining example of what is possible with strong leadership, ambition, vision and a desire to effect real change that not just improves the lives of the local community, but the wider population.”