Policy paper

Birmingham declaration on zero emission vehicles

Published 11 September 2018

This was published under the 2016 to 2019 May Conservative government

© Crown copyright 2018

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/zero-emission-vehicle-summit-the-birmingham-declaration/birmingham-declaration-on-zero-emission-vehicles

Climate change is one of the biggest issues we face, environmentally, economically and socially. In order to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, including limiting global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees centigrade, transport must be decarbonised with action taken by national, regional and local government. Air pollution from road transport also poses a real threat to public health in our towns and cities. The shift to a low carbon economy, in particular the development and deployment of zero emission vehicles, brings real economic, health and environmental benefits for all.

Governments cannot drive this transition alone. We need an integrated and truly global approach, involving national and municipal policy makers together with leaders in the automotive, infrastructure and energy industries. With the aim of making a decisive impact on road transport emissions, we will take concrete steps to:

  • accelerate the transition to low emission vehicles, by:
    • committing to a zero emission future for transport
    • driving demand through consumer incentives and setting targets for zero emission fleets
    • collaborating internationally to promote the deployment of ZEVs on a global scale.
  • enable the growth of the market, through:
    • delivering greener public transport to improve public health
    • building a smart infrastructure network, planning for the cities of the future today, embedding zero emission infrastructure into the fabric of our urban and rural communities, and enabling provision where consumers need it
    • driving up air quality standards in our towns and cities
  • develop innovative technological and manufacturing advances, by:
    • supporting zero emission R&D, investing to improve and develop new zero emission technologies
    • promoting a sustainable, circular economy to drive down emissions throughout the supply chain
    • making zero emission vehicles greener and cleaner, and moving toward cleaner generation of hydrogen and electricity to drive down emissions over the long term

We will work together to share experience and expertise as we make this transition. A rapid shift to clean transport is in the interests of all for:

  • cleaner air
  • innovative industry
  • a safe and stable climate

Signatories:

Australian Capital Territory, Australia

Barbados

Belarus

Denmark

France

Indonesia

Italy

Malta

State of Nuevo Leon, Mexico

Netherlands

Portugal

State of Washington, United States

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

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