1 ream of paper = 6% of a tree and 5.4kg CO2 in the atmosphere
3 sheets of A4 paper = 1 litre of water
http://stepscotland.com/
Friday, June 5, 2015
STEP e-Newsletter
Hello to all our Members,
Last week (Thu 28 May) saw STEP host the ‘STEP on the Bus’ workshop and
seminar at the ECCI. The original idea for this event came from STEP
member John Lamb (SEPA). John and Drew Hill (Transport Scotland), also a
member of STEP, worked together to develop the event in line with STEP’s
objectives: to exchange information, share best practice, provide input to
further the development and implementation of the Low Emissions Strategy
for Scotland, and also to consider how funding mechanisms can best be
designed to target air quality.
There was excellent attendance on the day and it was encouraging to see a
number of bus operators and vehicle manufacturers present and engaged in
discussions. Following presentations which covered policy, practical
implementation and technical aspects there was a workshop session which
asked how we could re-shape grant funding mechanisms in order to ensure
that air quality was targeted. Outputs from the workshops will be
considered further by Transport Scotland. It was an excellent day and thanks
go to John and Drew for all their efforts in organising the event.
Presentations and outputs from the day will be available on the STEP
website and STEP Slideshare account shortly.
Headlines
Supreme Court Orders New UK Air Quality Plan
The Supreme Court ruled on 29 April that the UK government must prepare and consult on a
new air quality plan by 31 December 2015, aimed at meeting EU NO2 limit values. Justices
were unanimous in their decision, saying “The new Government, whatever its political
complexion, should be left in no doubt as to the need for immediate action to address this
issue”.
- Press Summary
- Client Earth’s response
- FoE Scotland’s response
- Air Quality News bulletin
C40 Clean Bus Declaration urges cities and manufacturers to adopt
innovative clean bus technologies
C40 Blog
The C40 Clean Bus Declaration of Intent was officially announced during the C40 Latin
American Mayors Forum in Buenos Aires in March 2015. The Declaration is an unprecedented
action by cities; not only does it document the growing interest in adopting clean bus
technologies, it also provides data that illustrates the global market potential for
manufacturers. The ultimate goal is to incentivize and help manufacturers and other
stakeholders, such as multilateral banks, develop strategies to make these technologies more
affordable for cities. The hope is that the Declaration will be a significant step in this direction.
LowCVP launches Low Emission Bus website Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership
The LowCVP has launched a new Low Emission Bus section on its website to help disseminate
information on the Office for Low Emission Vehicle’s Low Emission Bus Scheme. The site
provides details of guidance, funding eligibility and the definition of a Low Emission Bus (LEB).
The LEB scheme is designed to help bus operators and local authorities source the cleanest bus
technologies and stimulate the low and ultra-low emission bus markets.
First Bus is investing £77.7 million in 385 new buses Milngavie Herald
First Bus, part of transport company FirstGroup, is investing £77.7 million in 385 new buses, of
which 90% will be fitted with ultra-clean Euro 6 engines. The Wrightbus company, based in
Ballymena in Northern Ireland, is manufacturing 248 of the buses while ADL, based in Falkirk in
Scotland, has secured an order for 117 buses.
Hydrogen Office in Methil will host Toshiba's first hydrogen research
project outside Japan
Scottish Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Association
Toshiba has announced that it will participate in the Levenmouth Community Energy Project in
Fife, a major 4-year project to investigate the potential of hydrogen as a future fuel as part of
the Local Energy Challenge Fund. The project will run from 2015 to 2020 in a redevelopment
area of the Methil Docks in Methil, Fife, Scotland’s third largest council area. Electricity
generated by wind and solar power will be used to power a hydrogen producing water
electrolysis system, and the hydrogen will be stored and used as a fuel source for hybrid
commercial vehicles (HCV) powered by fuel cells and diesel engines.
STV 19/5/15 "The Air We Breathe" - available on STV player STV Player
Fiona Foster presents a report on the rise in fatal illnesses linked to air pollution in the UK, a
situation that has led to the European Commission launching legal proceedings to force the UK
to improve air quality in several cities. Tonight investigates why levels of pollution in Britain are
so high and whether enough is being done to protect the country's health.
EC Horizon Prize – € 3 Million Materials for Clean Air Fund European
Commission
The Horizon Prize on materials for clean air will be awarded to the most affordable, sustainable
and innovative design-driven material solution that can reduce the concentration of particulate
matter in urban areas. The contest has been launched and will run until the end of 2018.
Contestants will be able to submit their entries from 26 January 2017 until 23 January 2018.
Edinburgh ‘Green Lights’ Electric Taxis Air Quality News
Electrically-powered cars can now be used as taxis and private hire vehicles in Edinburgh after
changes to licensing conditions were approved by city councillors.
Knowledge Transfer Network seeks LAs views on fleet greening
KTN/Innovate Website
KTN is collating views and experiences of local authority fleet operators, to help form a picture
of what activities are underway locally to de-carbonise vehicle fleets.
Save The Date
-
Edinburgh Napier University/TRI Electric Vehicle Open Day,
Edinburgh, 28 October 2015
-
IAQM Routes to Clean Air, Air Quality Conference, Bristol, 22-23
October 2015
-
STEP Annual Conference, Edinburgh, Venue TBA - 4 November
2015
Upcoming Events
-
Scottish Planning Policy and the New National Framework 3,
Edinburgh, 10 June 2015
-
Tactran/Transport Scotland/Centre for Sustainable Road
Freight – Public Sector Urban Logistics event, Edinburgh, 17
June 2015 – see flyer attached.
-
Scottish Transport Awards, Glasgow, 18 June 2015
-
LCVP Annual Conference, London, 24 June 2015
-
Catch The Bus Week, 29 June - 5 July 2015
-
LCVP Low Emission Cities Workshop, York – 6 July 2015
- European Mobility Week, 16-22 September, 2015
Contributions
Your contributions for the newsletter can be submitted via Eleanor Pratt,
Scottish Transport Emissions Partnership (STEP) Policy Officer, National
Operations Air Quality and Energy Unit, SEPA, www.sepa.org.uk
Direct Dial: +44 (0)1786 452615
Mobile: +44 (0)7824527128
Switchboard: +44 (0)1786 457700
Fax: +44 (0)1786 446885
eleanor.pratt@sepa.org.uk
Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Strathallan House, Castle
Business Park, Stirling, FK9 4TZ