Sarah Jolly, Merseyside Transport Partnership

We would support the idea of using the planning system to promote the uptake of low emissions fuels and technologies through Section 106 agreements. This is a theme being investigated by the Low Emissions Partnership's Regional Groups Initiative.

Led by Sefton Council, the six authorities of the Liverpool City Region and Merseytravel formed a partnership to make a successful bid to the LEP RGI and will now continue work on developing the Low Emissions Strategy by seeking to develop a model planning policy. This will be based on a carbon reduction approach that adopts measures to mitigate the amount of transport-generated emissions resulting from development.

The Low Emissions Partnership was established to oversee the process of creating a package of measures for mitigating air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions. The primary aim is to accelerate the uptake of low emission fuels and technologies.

The LES was created in 2008 when a number of councils, including Sefton, achieved Beacon Status for air quality. During the year, draft good practice guidance on the LES was produced. The guidance is also now included in DEFRA's Local Air Quality Management Guidance.

By working together and taking advantage of new technologies, it will allow us to shape the future transport policy of the region for the benefit of residents and for the environment.

Sarah Jolly is climate change officer at the Merseyside Transport Partnership