Getting the green light

This report continues the Resolution Foundation’s programme of work looking at the main challenges from reducing carbon emissions across different sectors of the economy, and how associated changes will impact households on low-to-middle incomes. It focuses on the issue of decarbonising UK travel, assessing how the move to electric cars will impact family finances, the role of public transport, and how emissions from flying can be kept in check.

Travel is core to modern life and a major component of household budgets. While there are complex patterns in how people get around, the car dominates. So increasing the uptake of electric cars and making sure that all drivers have access to low-cost charging are key priorities. Meanwhile, non-motorists – particularly those on lower incomes – risk missing out on the benefits of cheaper travel. And while other areas of travel decarbonise, flying is set to comprise an ever-growing proportion of the UK’s carbon footprint. So in this report we assess the distribution of both costs and benefits for these three areas and discuss how policy makers can deliver a rapid and fair transition to net zero.