Environmental campaigners today took to the streets armed with fake parking tickets and wheel clamps on the look out for anti-social 4x4s in order to highlight the heavy environmental impact of these vehicles.

By 'clamping' and 'ticketing' 4x4s Greenpeace were asking people to think again with their choice of car and consider less harmful options. Greenpeace are calling for increased taxes on these gas guzzlers to promote fuel efficiency.



Why GreenPeace wants to raise awareness on this issue
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Last year a conference of over 200 of the world's top climate scientists concluded that we have about five years left to take meaningful action to reduce emissions of greenhouse gasses if catastrophic damage to the world's climate is to be avoided. One year has passed and still there has been no significant moves to curb emissions. This is why Greenpeace would like you to pressure the Chancellor, Gordon Brown, asking him to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transport in the forthcoming budget.

Research shows that greenhouse gasses from transport could be reduced by around 30% if buyers purchased the most fuel efficient cars in each category (e.g. the most efficient mini, family saloon or executive car depending on what type of car the buyer wants). And the biggest gain would come in the large car brackets. This is why Greenpeace has been campaigning for over a year for a new road tax band for gas guzzlers and a big increase in the amount of tax they pay. It would help shift buying habits towards more fuel efficient vehicles and help reduce the impact of cars on the climate.

Please write to or email the Chancellor asking him to announce a new road tax band for gas guzzling cars in the Budget on March 22nd. Go to  http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/ved for more details and to send an email to the Chancellor.