International Agencies Launch Effort to Cut GHG Emissions by 50%
March 11, 2009 // Published as a news service by IHS
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A roadmap toward greater global fuel economy that would cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from cars by half must be adopted immediately and integrated into financial support for the car industry, according to a joint international agency report, 50 by 50 Global Fuel Economy Initiative (GFEI).
Created by the partnership effort of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), International Energy Agency (IEA), International Transport Forum (ITF) and FIA Foundation, the report shows how annual savings of 6 billion barrels of oil and 2 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) - equivalent to half the total current annual emissions of the European Union (EU) - are achievable through an ambitious worldwide program.
The report sets out a path to a reduction in fuel consumption, per kilometer, of 50% by 2050, and with intermediate goals in 2020 and 2030. This is in line with suggestions made by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Worldwide, the car fleet is set to triple by 2050, with serious implications for reducing transport emissions.
As a partnership working on the GFEI, the international agencies have set out a radical but achievable agenda, which they will present to a range of key stakeholders at a series of events this year.
With the vehicle industry featuring prominently in recent financial support packages, the report gives concrete options for the world to change to cleaner and more efficient cars. Experts said the GFEI will work with governments, the car industry and other stakeholders to achieve this goal.
The agenda should be achievable just using existing, cost-effective technologies such as better engines and drive trains, more efficient components and lighter materials, experts said.
Objectives for 2009 include:
- Developing regional assessments and organizing launches in Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia toward political engagement with regional groupings and individual countries.
- Starting four national pilot projects in different regions worldwide to support countries with the development of national fuel economy policies. Initiatives will also include an interactive toolkit for fuel economy policy development
- Developing a fuel economy information database, information materials and web site.
- Engaging with G8 and U.N. processes.
"We have to find ways to reconcile legitimate aspirations for mobility, an ambitious reduction in CO2 from cars worldwide and global economic recovery," said Nobuo Tanaka, executive director of IEA. "In confronting the economic recession, this is a real opportunity for governments to combine support for the auto industry with measures to achieve environmental and energy policy goals. The faster we can move on this, the more benefits will accrue."
According to Achim Steiner, U.N. Under-Secretary General, the upcoming U.N. climate convention meeting in Copenhagen will be critical in fighting the threat of global warming.
"Transport is a crucial sector in this transformation to a low carbon, green economy," Steiner said. "The world's car fleet is expected to triple by 2050 with 80% of this growth in developing economies. Thus, an initiative like GFEI has a key role to play. We would urge the world's car and component makers to get on board to prove that they too are part of the solution," Steiner said.
Source: International Energy Agency (IEA).