In a week when the government announced very bold, but as yet unfunded, plans to eliminate domestic air travel with a multi-billion high-speed rail network, I wonder if lower tech solutions to the climate change problem are being sidelined.

Longer semi trailers are proven to both benefit the road transport industry and reduce CO2 emissions, but have received a lukewarm reception from government, even though the investment is minimal and would come from the private sector. Industry support for the technology is growing, with Iveco now backing plans for 18m semi trailers. Now, Kogel, which has already made the investment in design and manufacture of longer semi trailers, has gone into insolvency due to a dramatic collapse in demand.

Meanwhile, FedEx Express is striving to lead in the use of electric and hybrid vans. At the same time, its fleet manager says they will remain niche. A good maintenance and improvements in diesel technology, although less high profile, could be just as important in cutting emissions.

This is the problem. High-speed trains and electric vans will get the government headlines. The real solution to climate change will come from millions of less glamorous, incremental improvements to technology, which sadly receive less public attention.