The CBI published a new report Greener Skies, creating a low-carbon aviation industry this month which discusses how the UK aviation industry can continue to grow and support the needs of the economy, without undermining the achievement of climate change targets. To achieve this it is essential that international governments lay the groundwork for a international cap and trade scheme through the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). This will incentivise cost effective emissions reductions and ensure a level playing field for airlines. CBI Deputy-Director General, John Cridland said ‘Aviation is an economic enabler like no other industry. Britain can only be truly open for business when it has access to foreign markets to exploit investment opportunities and trade goods and services. While aviation emissions still only make up a small percentage of total UK emissions, strong future demand for flights means they are expected to rise. The best way for the world’s aviation industry to meet its climate obligations is through a global cap and trade scheme. Such a scheme would include all airlines, removing scope for leakage of emissions from one country to another, and would run with, not against, the grain of this international industry.”

We have published a new report Tackling congestion, driving growth – A new approach to roads policy. The report outlines the scope for tackling road congestion through changing working patters, and attracting private capital to fund road investment across key pinch-points. CBI deputy-director general, John Cridland said, "Now is the time for fresh thinking on the roads. We need a radical overhaul of how we travel and manage our road system if we are to do more than simply tinker at the edges. Merely slowing the endless rise in congestion is not enough. The CBI would like to see policymakers put the same amount of energy and vision into roads as they are doing on high speed rail." In terms of improving the management of the strategic road network in England, the report recommends new approaches in for funding of the Highways Agency, and how it structures contracts with the construction industry.

We submitted written evidence to the Transport Select Committee, and responded to the Department for Transport consultation on the draft Ports National Policy Statement NPS, which can be read here. The CBI supported the clear statement of need for additional port capacity across the coming twenty years, however felt that this could be enhanced by being integrated with the conclusions of the Government’s Delivering a Sustainable Transport Strategy (DaSTS). In light of the forthcoming election it is unlikely the government will designate the final version of NPS until the summer.

We have organised a series of rail breakfasts for 2010, the first of which will take place on 8 April and debate the question, "High Speed Rail: is it right for the UK?" The event will be chaired by Richard Lambert, and will include a keynote addresses from Network Rail chief executive, Iain Coucher and RAC Foundation Director, Professor Stephen Glaister. They will join a expert panel to debate the economic and environmental merits of high speed rail investment, in light of its significant construction costs. For more information and the latest programme please visit the our events .

We submitted consultation responses to the draft London Plan, and the Mayor’s draft transport and economic strategies. We are disappointed the mayor overlooked the need to include plans to accommodate a third runway at Heathrow which is supported by the majority of businesses and is national priority for the government. We also underlined how continued public investment in transport infrastructure was essential for enabling London to grow and remain a global city.