Gap between rich and poor on transport emissions to widen

Inequality in transport emissions between the richest and the poorest people in the UK is set to widen dramatically over the next decade, an analysis has found.

- Damien Gayle

The most affluent and mobile people already produce 10 times more carbon through their domestic travel than the poorest and least mobile. Under current decarbonisation policies, thinktank researchers forecast that this will grow to 13 times by 2035.

But revised policies that tackle domestic flying and excess private car use could not only lessen inequality, they say, but also reduce emissions faster overall.

"Fairness isn't a barrier to climate action - it's the key to unlocking it," said Stephen Frost, the head of transport policy at the Institute for Public Policy Research. "A fairer approach doesn't just cut carbon faster, it builds a healthier, more inclusive transport system for everyone."