Decreasing our carbon footprint

Press release from IWAC (Inland Waterways Advisory Council)

The Inland Waterways Advisory Council (IWAC) today issued its paper on freight, entitled ‘Decreasing Our Carbon Footprint – Moving More Freight onto the Inland Waterways of England and Wales’.

John Edmonds, IWAC’s chair, said:

“We believe that increasing waterborne freight transport could make a useful contribution towards meeting the UK Government’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 60% by 2050.

Research suggests that transporting freight by water instead of road has the potential to reduce by three quarters the amount of carbon emitted.

Successful examples in the UK and elsewhere in Europe demonstrate that our inland waterways can provide a viable and environmentally friendly means of transporting freight.

IWAC’s paper sets out the current situation regarding freight on the inland waterway network in England and Wales. It recommends how waterborne freight could be increased in the future.

Two key recommendations are:
1. Better promotion of waterborne freight by the water freight industry and navigation authorities, with Sea and Water playing a major role.

2. The UK and Welsh Assembly Governments undertaking a comprehensive study of the opportunities for, and barriers to, increasing freight transport by water, aiming to produce recommendations that can be adopted as a useful contribution to reducing the UK’s carbon footprint.”

To view a copy of IWAC's document 'Decreasing our carbon footprint - moving more freight onto the inland waterways of England and Wales' click here

21 January 2008