• EN
  • FR
  • NL
  • News & publications
  • Services
  • Sectors
    • Public Policies
    • Energy
    • Buildings
    • Transport & Mobility
    • Industry & Services
    • Agriculture & Land-use
  • Cases
  • About
  • Contact us
  • News & publications
  • Services
  • Sectors
    • Public Policies
    • Energy
    • Buildings
    • Transport & Mobility
    • Industry & Services
    • Agriculture & Land-use
  • Cases
  • About
  • Contact us
  • EN
  • FR
  • NL
Home - News

New scenario to decarbonise European transport by 2040

14 September 2020

The transport sector accounted for 27% of EU emissions in 2017 and is the only sector that has seen emissions increase since 1990

Potential threats linked to climate change compel us to drastically reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To even have a chance of limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5°C requires that global emissions reach net-zero as soon as possible. The EU can play a leading role in this transition with ambitious targets and policies. The transport sector accounted for 27% of EU emissions in 2017 and is the only sector that has seen emissions increase since 1990.

The report explores a future where the European transport sector is decarbonised by 2040

New research produced by Climact and New Climate Institute, commissioned by Greenpeace, explores a future where the European transport sector is decarbonised by 2040 without relying on biofuels. This work is intended to offer a roadmap for decision-makers to pursue a transition consistent with the magnitude and speed prescribed by the scientific community. It examines the intermediary targets required; it highlights and discusses some of the key technological, industrial and economic risks, challenges and benefits associated with these profound efforts; it recommends a set of policy packages that need to be implemented. 

Figure 1: Yearly emissions – DT-2040 scenario (million tonnes of CO2).

The pursuit of a transport decarbonation in Europe will require  profound efforts and the implementation of ambitious policies. Key messages include:

  • Demand-side measures (such as modal shift or utilisation rate increase) are essential to facilitate the transition by reducing the scale of deployment of new technologies to challenging but plausible levels. To do so,
    – Available funds at EU level (through the European Investment Bank for example) need to be shifted towards the development of greener infrastructure
    – Binding regulations should be implemented: limiting, for example, the use of internal combustion engines for cars or banning short-haul flight connections
  • In order for the supply side to contribute at the scale needed, current efforts also need to be scaled up quickly. Supporting innovation and enabling the massive deployment of new technologies will be key to achieving zero emissions.
    – For road transport, the technology shift to electricity must be accelerated, new cars should be 100% electric by 2028
    – Synthetic hydrocarbons (& in general power-to-liquids) based on zero-emission electricity are one piece of the puzzle, but must always be considered as a last resort, and targeted only at transport modes that do not have alternatives.
    – Parallel massive changes in Power sector is needed to only produce clean electricity

> Full report

Share
Share
Tweet
Share
Email

Latest news & publications

  • Buildings

    Pre-financing energy renovation, an energy-efficient home for every Flemish household

  • Industry and services

    Climate neutrality roadmap for the corrugated cardboard industry

  • Energy

    How much does it cost to switch away from fossil gas in the food, chemical and glass industries? 

  • Buildings

    Impact assessment of the MEPS under discussion in the context of the EPBD revision

  • News

    ETS reforms: assessment of the Council and European Parliament positions

More news

Get in touch with our experts

{{'NOUS_CONTACTER' | translate}}

{{'INSCRIVEZ_VOUS_A_LA_NEWSLETTER' | translate}}

{{'S_INSCRIRE' | translate}}

{{'SERVICES' | translate}}

  • Strategy Consulting
  • Legal & Regulatory Advisory
  • Project Development

{{'SECTEURS' | translate}}

  • Public Policies
  • Energy
  • Buildings
  • Transport & Mobility
  • Industry & Services
  • Agriculture & Land-use
  • Facebook

    {{vm.fan_count}}

  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
© 2023 Climact
  • Legal information
Powered by Shake

Subscribe to our Newsletter

We thank you for your trust and guarantee you that the only objective of our communication will always stay in line with our mission : increase energy sustainability, reduce impact on climate while adding value to our customers.

You can update your personal data at any time following the Update Profile link in the footer of any email you receive from us.

CLIMACT will use this information in compliance with the GDPR and our Privacy Policy.

Information personelles
{{'EMAIL_INVALIDE' | translate}}
{{'PRENOM_INVALIDE' | translate}}
{{'NOM_INVALIDE' | translate}}
{{'NOM_ENTREPRISE_INVALIDE' | translate}}
{{"VEUILLEZ_CHOISIR_UNE_LANGUE" | translate}}

* {{'CHAMPS_REQUIS' | translate}}

You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by contacting us at info@climact.com. We will treat your information with respect. For more information about our privacy practices please visit our website. By clicking below, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms.

We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.

{{'UNE_ERREUR_EST_SURVENUE' | translate}}
{{vm.alert_response}}
{{'ERREUR' | translate}}: {{'CET_EMAIL_EST_DEJA_INSCRIT' | translate}}.

By accepting, Google Analytics cookies will be installed to help us get statistics on how this website is being visited. {{'EN_SAVOIR_PLUS' | translate}} ›