Event Profile: Gloves off for Gallagher?

Challenging biofuels

Things have got a bit spicier since we covered the main conference programme last month with the publication of Professor Ed Gallagher's report earlier in July.

The "Gallagher Review" is a British Government-commissioned report that challenges the widespread viability of biofuels. And the report’s author will be one of the main speakers at the conference on 23 July – so be sure to come well-armed with questions, or, depending on your opinions, rotten eggs.

Ed Gallagher presents

Mr. Gallagher is the chairman of the Renewable Fuels Agency (RFA). His report calls for a slowdown in the introduction of biofuels and has been the focus of intense debate in both the industry and the media. The LowCVP conference is one of Gallagher's first public engagements since the report was published. Having provoked such an outcry from the biofuels lobby, it will hopefully not be his last.

"Unmissable" event

In case you missed the event's previous publicity, the LowCVP annual conference is perhaps the most preeminent sustainable transport event in the UK.

"The conference aims to cover the main current policy issues on the low carbon transport agenda," says Neil Wallis, LowCVP's head of communications. "Topics that will feature heavily include the European 'Cars and CO2' debate, UK vehicle excise duty and other motoring taxes, and biofuels, in the wake of the recent Gallagher report."

"The event is unique in the UK. It’s a chance to catch up with the latest thinking in the area of sustainable transport and hear about some of the latest initiatives and technologies in cutting carbon from road transport. It promises to be an unmissable event for anyone involved in the road transport sector," says Wallis.

London officials to participate

One new speaker on the bill that should be well worth hearing is the Mayor of London’s new Director of Transport Policy, Kulveer Ranger. Ranger’s speech is one that Wallis is looking forward to with interest, as Mayor Boris Johnson has already caused consternation among the sustainable transport community with some of his policy ideas.

"The mayor has already scrapped the planned introduction of the CO2-based congestion charge. Some signals suggest that the new Conservative administration could be more pro-car than the previous administration," says Wallis. "It will also be interesting to hear what Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly has to say in light of the Government’s recent decision not to go ahead with the fuel tax increase. She will be giving a short speech at the conference and plans to take a number of questions."

So make sure yours is one of them – book your place quickly.