WCRAQ Chair Barry Sheerman says he believes there is a growing commitment to taking shared action.
Can I confess that even in these troubling times, I remain a staunch optimist? Even as our lives change dramatically in every sphere, I believe that we amazingly clever humans will come through this new industrial revolution having conquered the challenges of climate change, global warming, and so much else.
It is fantastic news that European licensing authorities have cleared JCB’s hydrogen combustion engine for commercial use. JCB has confirmed that 11 licensing authorities permitted the hydrogen engine to be sold across Europe. The Netherlands was the first to issue official certification, followed by others, including England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
At our OWL event in Belfast last October, we already saw manufacturers producing hydrogen-powered buses, waste trucks and other vehicles. However, the hydrogen has to be imported to Northern Ireland, and it was exciting to hear from a local Belfast enterprise hoping to produce green hydrogen using organic household waste. I am hopeful that this will be a serious game-changer shortly.
These events, organised by OWL and the WCRAQ, are always informative, challenging, and full of highly qualified, experienced people who want to share their best practices, innovations, and ideas.
This year, for example, we have WCRAQ member Amanda Lyne from ULEMco speaking about hydrogen transition at OWL Wales. She will explain why hydrogen solutions should be part of your net-zero and decarbonisation road maps despite the current challenges, and highlight practical examples of how fleets can begin trialling them.
Recently, I noticed the powerful influence of our evidence-based work on governments and other key players in the sector. In my experience, talking to local authorities, universities, and large employers, I sense a greater commitment to working together to tackle air quality challenges and a willingness to share costs and responsibilities. There is a new spirit of cooperation, better communication, and a resolute determination to tackle the big transport issues locally, regionally, and nationally.
We should be proud of what we have achieved and determined to face the future working together, and making a real difference to the planet that we all inhabit. More power to you, and thank you for being such good partners. If we want to create change, we must work with others with knowledge, experience, and passion.
Barry Sheerman
Chair of WCRAQ
