Rapid Shift Toward Zero-Emission Vehicles Essential for Achieving Climate Objectives, According to ICCT Report
In a groundbreaking report, the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) has underscored the critical role Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) play in mitigating climate change. The report, which takes into account developments up to March 2023, emphasizes the importance of adopting ZEVs as the norm for new cars, vans, buses, and trucks.
The ICCT's updated study expands its regional focus to include ASEAN, Latin American countries, Australia, New Zealand, South Asian countries, the Middle East, and Africa. The report demonstrates that recently adopted policies and market developments have avoided approximately 17 gigatonnes (Gt) of CO2 emissions from 2023 to 2050. If governments follow through on their national and subnational policy proposals and electric vehicle (EV) targets, an additional 25 Gt CO2 could be avoided through 2050.
The report highlights the importance of global cooperation in the pursuit of emissions reduction. It underscores that other countries are expected to follow major markets within 5 to 10 years. The report calls for governments, industries, and individuals alike to accelerate the transition to zero-emission vehicles and implement a broader range of strategies to meet ambitious climate targets.
The ICCT's study considers international commitments like the Accelerating to Zero Coalition's ZEV Declaration and the Global Memorandum of Understanding on Zero-Emission Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles (Global MOU on ZE MHDVs). It suggests the importance of adopting policies that encompass avoid-and-shift strategies for passenger and freight travel, improving conventional vehicle fuel efficiency, accelerating the removal of older vehicles from fleets, and adjusting policies to promote ZEV adoption.
Figure ES-1 in the report shows that without additional policies, global well-to-wheel CO2 emissions are projected to increase. However, if governments implement proposed policies and EV targets, these emissions could peak by 2030 and remain stable through 2050. If major markets achieve 100% ZEV sales for new light-duty vehicles by 2035 and heavy-duty vehicles by 2040, it could put the global transportation sector on a trajectory consistent with limiting global warming to below 2°C.
The report emphasizes that the gap between government ambitions and the pathway needed to limit warming to 2°C or below has reduced. However, further actions beyond transitioning to ZEVs are necessary to achieve these goals. The report underscores that the estimated mitigation potential of international commitments could account for an additional 11 Gt CO2 reduction compared to the baseline scenario.
In conclusion, the ICCT's report underscores the urgent need for swift and comprehensive action on a global scale to secure a sustainable future. The adoption of ZEVs is a crucial step in this direction, and the report serves as a call to action for governments, industries, and individuals to accelerate the transition to zero-emission vehicles. The report also underscores the importance of international cooperation in the pursuit of emissions reduction, with other countries expected to follow major markets within 5 to 10 years.
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