The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has welcomed Nicholas Stern's new report on climate change.

Stern, treasury and world bank economist, says 14% of global carbon dioxide emissions come from transport. The motor industry recognises it has a key role to play in reducing the impact of its products and production processes and will continue to develop the technologies to deliver more sustainable motoring.

New cars, commercial vehicles and buses reflect many of the cleaner technologies coming to market, including biofuel models, hybrids and greener diesel vehicles. On new cars for example, average CO2 has been cut by more than 10% in six years.

Improvements at manufacturing sites have been more significant. Published in September, the SMMT's seventh annual sustainability report showed that average energy used – and CO2 emitted - to produce each vehicle in the UK has been halved in four years.

SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan said: “The motor industry is committed to helping tackle climate change. We believe an integrated, international approach that encourages action from all those connected with the motor industry, such as fuel companies, governments and motorists, will continue to drive down CO2 emissions from our sector.”