SO YOU still think global warming is someone else’s problem? The scientific evidence that the world is already seeing the effects of global warming is compelling. Since 1997 160 nations, representing half the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, have ratified the Kyoto Protocol, committing to reduce the world’s greenhouse gases by 5 per cent below 1990 levels by 2012, and ultimately to reverse the greenhouse effect.

So far, the global scorecard is not promising. The EU may miss its 8 per cent reduction target, while Japan and Canada are lagging on their 6 per cent reduction goal. The UK, which committed to cutting emissions by 12.5 per cent, is also off target. The main culprit is transport.

When taking into account the explosion in international air travel, which was exempt from Kyoto, and the surge in short-haul air travel, branded the most harmful to the environment, UK emissions levels have increased since 1990. Between 1990 and 2004, EU emissions from international aviation rose 86 per cent. Though air transport today represents only 6 per cent of the UK’s total carbon emissions, aviation’s fast expansion means that, unless serious measures are taken now, Britain will not meet its climate change targets.

Road transport, which accounts for about 24 per cent of emissions, is also a concern. Without incentives similar to those in The Netherlands and Japan, which encourage car manufactures and consumers to build and buy greener vehicles, Britain will miss its car emissions reduction targets.

The Government’s own analysis says: “Transport is the only sector of the UK economy where emissions are expected to be higher in 2020 than in 1990”. Friends of the Earth supports an aviation fuel tax and is calling for a 3 per cent reduction of all UK emissions per year.

More worrying to environmental watchdogs is the swift development of China and India, which were exempt from Kyoto. China will soon be the world’s largest producer of greenhouse gases. Barring an agreement to help emerging economies to develop in a way that is consistent with Kyoto targets, developed nations will inevitably need to shoulder more responsibility.

America, which did not sign Kyoto, is the world’s leading environmental polluter. Though certain states, such as California, have taken action to combat climate change, a patchwork of state laws is more difficult for businesses to meet than clear-cut federal regulations.

Despite the bad news on transport, Britain is leading the global climate change agenda, says Michael Rea, director of strategy for the Carbon Trust, which was established in 2001 to help Britain to realise its Kyoto emissions targets.

The trust has helped thousands of UK companies to develop better energy practices and has secured venture capital to fund alternative energy technologies. Its latest project will give industry £3.5 million to explore marine energy.

But to see these projects through to the point of mass commercialisation, and ultimately enable Britain to benefit economically by selling its expertise in renewables to other countries, stronger policies are needed, says Rea. Transport is the most pressing issue.

“The UK must consider mandatory commitments from car manufacturers to produce greener vehicles,” says Rea. Nigel Underdown, of the Energy Savings Trust, says that if the UK switched just 20 per cent of its vehicles to diesel it would just about meet its car emissions reduction target.

Rea adds that the Government must take action to address aviation emissions, noting that including aviation in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), which caps participating companies’ emissions allowances, is not enough.

Ian Pearson, Climate Change and Environment Minister, told The Times: “We recognise the call to provide clear policy frameworks, which is why we are carefully considering the case for legislation in the UK.”

He agrees that transport is the most pressing issue and believes that “the polluter pays principle” should apply to aviation as its emissions could account for up to 25 per cent of the UK’s contribution to climate change by 2030.