The Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP) has been renamed the Zemo Partnership to reflect the UK’s ambition to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

It said that changing its name was a “direct and powerful” demonstration that the world has changed and that the climate emergency means that ‘low’ is no longer enough.

When LowCVP was formed 18 years ago, road transport emitted 118 Mt of greenhouse gases (GHG) a year. Since then, despite road miles increasing by 20%, overall emissions have fallen 5%, driven by low carbon policy and developing technology.

Today, however, transport is the UK’s largest GHG-emitting sector, responsible for about 28% of emissions. ‘Low carbon’ is no longer good enough and a step-change in progress is needed, it said.

In 2019 the UK became the first major economy to pass a law requiring the UK to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.

The Zemo Partnership says it will build on years of successful collaboration with members, focusing on the aims and ambitions of Government, to ensure that transport is a key enabler of a net zero future.

To support the introduction of the new name, the Zemo Partnership website - www.zemo.org.uk - has been launched.

Furthermore, Zemo Partnership’s 200-plus member organisations will be asked to commit to a new ‘Partnership Charter’ supporting the objective of accelerating the transition in transport to zero emissions.

Zemo Partnership’s managing director Andy Eastlake said: “For the past 18 years LowCVP has played a pivotal role in helping to deliver the UK’s low emission transport targets.

“In 2020, over 10% of all new cars sold were ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs), surpassing the target set out at the LowCVP’s inception in 2003.

“But today low is no longer enough and we must reset our targets, roll up our sleeves and focus on the road to zero.

“Re-born, as Zemo Partnership, we are strengthening our commitment to make change happen faster and accelerate the transport transition to zero emissions.”

Cllr Rishi Madlani, head of sustainable finance and just transition at NatWest Group, a Zemo Partnership member, said: “We are delighted to work with the Zemo Partnership building on the strong foundations established over 18 years.

“The Partnership’s new name reflects the continued acceleration of activity in the sector following the UK’s Net Zero target and the Government’s 10-point plan. We look forward to working with the Partnership to support our customers in decarbonising their vehicles and fleets.”

Zemo Partnership (www.zemo.org.uk), as the LowCVP, was established in 2003 as a public-private partnership working to accelerate a sustainable shift to lower carbon vehicles and fuels and create opportunities for UK businesses.

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