Norman Baker MP chairs launch of IMechE report

Norman Baker MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, chaired the breakfast briefing launch of IMechE’s report into Low Carbon Mobility: A Sustainable Future for Transport on 19 March.

The report, authored by the Railways Division, argues for the promotion of low-carbon transport. Cliff Perry, Vice Chair of the Railways Division, and Eileen McDermott, former Chair of the Young Members’ Railways Division, presented the report’s findings to the audience, stressing that ambitious emissions reductions will require ambitious transport policy.

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IMechE hosts King Review launch

HM Treasury launched the King Review of low-carbon cars at 1 Birdcage Walk on 13 March. Professor Julia King presented part II of her review, covering recommendations for action, with Lord Nick Stern and IMechE Vice-President, Professor Bill Banks. The review argues the Government will have to set long-term policy for road transport that has CO2 reduction at its very heart. Alongside technological innovation in the short, medium and long term, both domestic and international efforts will be needed to ensure a more sustainable road transport future.

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Read IMechE's Submission to the King Review

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House of Commons Innovation, Universities and Skills Select Committee inquiry into engineering

The Innovation, University and Skills Select Committee launched an inquiry into engineering in January 2008. The inquiry aimed to investigate the role of engineering in the UK, the state of the engineering skills base and supply of engineers as well as the role of professional bodies in developing engineering skills and careers. The engineering community, as a whole (chaired by IMechE), choose to submit join evidence to the inquiry, presenting a single unified vision for the profession.

The Select Committee also announced a case study into nuclear engineering. Following the Government’s intention to build a new generation of nuclear power stations, the Committee asked whether the country had the capacity to build a number of plants.

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In January 2008 BERR along with Defra and the Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG) published the Heat Call for Evidence. The call for evidence is an important next step in developing the UK’s strategy for heat. The document set out the Government’s understanding of the opportunities and prospects for as well as some of the barriers that prevent the greater use of renewable heat.

Read IMechE’s submission

House of Commons Transport Select Committee Inquiry into Delivering a Sustainable Railway

Cliff Perry, senior member of IMechE's railway division, gave oral evidence to the House of Commons Transport Select Committee on Delivering a Sustainable Railway: A 30-year Strategy for the Railways? on January 9th. The evidence session was in response to the Government's White Paper on Rail (CM7176), published in July 2007.

As the only representative of an engineering body to give evidence, Mr. Perry answered questions posed by the Committee on the White Paper and the future of Britain's railways. He underlined that the White Paper lacked strategic vision and was unlikely to achieve its goal of a sustainable railway. The White Paper, Mr. Perry argued, did not encourage modal shift away for air and road to rail in support of targeted reductions in CO2 emissions.

Watch archived footage of the evidence session

Read the transcript from the evidence session

For more information on any aspect of IMechE's work with policy-makers and influencers please contact Jonathan Levack, Public Affairs Executive, on 020 7973 1293 or email j_levack@imeche.org