Transport sector can do more to protect climate

New study identifies effective measures to reduce greenhouse gases

International and national climate protection goals can only achieved if all sectors of the economy do their fair share. Forecasts predict that traffic will continue to grow. Therefore it is upon the transport sector to make effective cuts in its emissions of greenhouse gases. The new research project study titled “Renewbility II“ assessed the opportunities and potential of climate protection based on application of a new model. The findings show that the transport sector is well-positioned to make significant reductions of its greenhouse gases by 2030. Said President Jochen Flasbarth of the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) at the opening of the expert conference on “transport and climate protection”: “The transport sector in Germany can reduce its greenhouse gas emissions up to 2030 by well over one-third of its emissions in 2005, with positive effects for the economy. We now need the framework within which all the players in the transport sector can actually realize this benefit for the climate.” The Renewbility conference is sponsored by the Federal Ministry for Environment and UBA.
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Heavy goods vehicles and passenger cars in particular have ever declining levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per vehicle kilometre. At the same time, however, total kilometrage is rising, and this progress in emissions ultimately does not have a positive effect on the greenhouse gas balance. This is why measures for a modal switch to more ecological modes of transport and measures to curb demand for transport are needed in addition to more efficient vehicles. Climate protection can only be effectively increased if policymakers implement an ambitious mix of measures, said UBA’s President Flasbarth, remarking that “the necessary reductions in greenhouse gases in the transport setor can only be achieved by bundling further measures. The most important factors are the continuation of demanding standards in CO2 emissions standards for passenger cars and vans, to expand the network of trains and buses, and to promote cycling and a fuel-efficient driving style.“

The Renewbility model was developed in cooperation with representatives from industry and environmental associations. It applies various scenarios to quantitatively illustrate the impact of measures and different general conditions on traffic, greenhouse gas emissions and the economy through 2030. The project’s focus on long-term, environmentally friendly transport represents a contribution to the public debate about what steps must be taken to achieve sustainability in energy and transport policy.

9 November 2012

Umweltbundesamt Hauptsitz

Wörlitzer Platz 1
06844 Dessau-Roßlau
Germany

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