Monmouth MP David Davies has dismissed the suggestion that people will need to ditch their cars in order to meet the UK’s 2050 climate change targets.

In a report released last week the Parliamentary Science and Technology Select Committee said that technology alone cannot achieve sufficient emission cuts. Swapping existing vehicles for cleaner versions will not be enough."In the long-term, widespread personal vehicle ownership does not appear to be compatible with significant decarbonisation," it concluded.The government has said it will consider the committee’s findings. But Mr Davies told the Beacon: "If the Science committee really want us all to give up all forms of car they must have taken collective leave of their senses."Britain is responsible for just one per cent of man-made carbon emissions. China alone emits around thirty per cent. "If Britain stopped people using cars it will make virtually no difference to global carbon emissions but would leave us all dependent on using public transport."He added: "Being able to drive is a freedom to which we are entitled. I for one do not want to have to revert to using a horse and cart just to placate environmental fanatics and some virtue signalling politicians."The AA says the select committee has underestimated the power of new technology to solve pollution in cars.But the MPs say the answer lies in improvements in public transport, walking and cycling, which not only benefit the climate but also our health.They also say that current incentives to buy cleaner cars are insufficient.Drivers investing in electric vehicles, for example, should be offered among other things a better network of charging points. The report says a government strategy should aim to reduce the overall number of vehicles required. This should include: promoting and improving public transport; reducing the cost of public transport relative to driving; encouraging vehicle usership in place of ownership (such as car sharing and car hire) and making walking and cycling more appealing.It says more research is needed on the environmental impact of the batteries of electric vehicles and warns that hydrogen technology may prove to be cheaper and less environmentally damaging.The select committee’s conclusions echo a report from an Oxford-based group of academics which pointed out that even electric cars produce pollution through their tyres and brakes. ACE (Action on Climate Emergency) Monmouth has already set up a ’cycle Monmouth’ group to look at ways of promoting cycling in the town.ACE Monmouth chair Claudia Blair said: "I realise that this is only one way to get people out of their cars and lack of a comprehensive bus service is one reason why many are unable to give up their cars."This is another area we will campaign on and work with the county council to help them better understand Monmouth’s requirement for investment in public transport. She added: "There are many commuters who would love not to be driving to our nearest cities every day but there is no real option for them at the moment."Also our local service only runs in the daytime so evening outings often require driving."Â