Rural car dependency an issue in environmental policy, expert says

A dichotomy has developed between people who live in cities and those residing in the countryside with regard to environmental concerns, according to one expert.

Andrew Curry, director of the Henley Centre and co-author of the government's Foresight Report in Energy and Climate Change, has pointed out that the issue needs to be addressed.

Mr Curry identifies the fact that people living in rural areas are more dependent on car travel since they reside in more remote areas.

Conversely, people in the cities, who have more access to public transport and are more localised, may be more open to transport regulation.

"It's quite a big policy issue for the future of transport and technology," he said, asking: "How do we help people in rural areas maintain their lifestyle without producing a lot of carbon emissions?"

According to the Future Generator - an interactive project that assesses what British life will be like in 2055 - rural dwellers live less eco-friendly lifestyles than those in towns and cities.