Specifically, global transport activity is expected to more than double by 2050, while traffic emissions will rise by 16% compared to 2015. And that’s even if existing commitments to cut down carbon emissions are carried out. Based on projections from 2015, today urban mobility is responsible for 40% of all CO2 emissions from the movement of people. This means that how to meet mobility demands, while at the same time reducing pollution, still remains a big challenge. Notably, 75% of all urban passenger transport emissions come from private cars, which intensifies the necessity for more sustainable alternatives. Similarly, freight emits more than 40% of all transport CO2. The ITF considers these facts alarming and emphasizes that, if current policies remain the same up until 2050, the situation will deteriorate:
Emissions from passenger transport will rise by 13%; Freight emissions will grow by 22%; Emissions from urban mobility will only fall by 5%.
This means that the goal of the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5˚C won’t be reached. Credit: International Transport Forum Despite these ominous projections, it’s still possible to reverse the transport CO2 emission growth. In fact, more ambitious policies could reduce emissions by approximately 70%:
Cities could cut urban mobility CO2 emissions by 80%; Regional passenger transport (e.g. by air, rail, bus) could lower its emissions by almost 50%; Freight emissions could be 72% less.
That way, limiting global warming to 1.5˚C would be within reach. Credit: International Transport Forum Credit: International Transport Forum The ITF offers six recommendations on how governments can develop a more sustainable mobility model, but the responsibility for developing more ambitious policies falls on the governments themselves. Do EVs excite your electrons? Do ebikes get your wheels spinning? Do self-driving cars get you all charged up? Then you need the weekly SHIFT newsletter in your life. Click here to sign up.
