The UK must develop the world's leading ultra-low carbon vehicle (LCV) industry, according to Science Minister Lord Drayson.
At the LCV 2009 event, he officially launched the Office for Low-emission Vehicles (OLEV) announced in July.
Rather than a "mere talking shop", Lord Drayson stressed that the office will address both supply and demand concerns that presently limit the industry.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has announced plans for a new carbon tax aimed at combating global warming.
The tax will be introduced next year and will cover the use of oil, gas and coal, he said.
The new tax will be 17 euros (£15) per tonne of emitted carbon dioxide (CO2). It will be phased in gradually.
It will apply to households as well as enterprises, but not to the heavy industries and power firms included in the EU's emissions trading scheme.
The latest edition of the Envirowise TastE-Bulletin - September 2009 is now available.
In this issue;
At the 2009 Business Commitment to the Environment (BCE) Environmental Leadership Awards ceremony in London on 1 July, Bovis Lend Lease, Pfizer, Sainsbury's and Toyota Manufacturing UK scooped the top prizes which were presented by Richard Lambert, Director-General of the CBI.
