Cut in cities' CO2 pollution

CARCON dioxide pollution from traffic in Scotland's largest cities has been cut, thanks to motorists driving less and an increase in diesel car ownership

But environmental groups warn further reductions are required to meet ambitious climate change targets. Diesel engines also produce more pollution harmful to humans than petrol engines.

The Automobile Association said yesterday that CO2 emissions in Edinburgh fell by more than 10 per cent on A roads and by nearly 4 per cent on smaller roads between 2005 and 2008. Glasgow's reduction was 11 per cent and 4.4 per cent.

AA president Edmund King said: "We expect CO2 from cars and other road transport to drop substantially more as new technology kicks in. The impact of recession and petrol prices is also taking its toll."