Cerys Jones
As the closing stages of COP26 began, delegates debated the literal road to net-zero on Wednesday; eco-friendly transport.
The Importance of Transport
Transport is a much-discussed sector in conversations about climate change. Estimates suggest that it contributes around one-fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions. Many forms of transport burn fossil fuels like coal and oil in order to run, releasing greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and water vapour into the atmosphere.
Transport is a huge factor in the burning of fossil fuels. In 2015, road transport alone accounted for half of global oil consumption. What makes the sector even more important is the current projection that emissions from this sector will rise, this might counteract positive changes made elsewhere and make it more difficult to limit the rise in global temperatures to below 1.5°C.
In the UK, The Department for Transport’s annual report of 2021 named domestic transport as the largest greenhouse gas emitting sector, producing 27% of the UK’s total emissions in 2019.
Not All Emitters Are Equal
Like many factors in climate change, it’s not necessarily those bearing the burden of the emission who are causing them.
In 2014, ten countries contributed more than half of all global transport emissions. The impact of a minority is even more extreme when it comes to flying.
The US’s aviation emissions were bigger than the next ten countries combined in 2018, and it has even been suggested that 1% of the world’s population caused around half of aviation’s carbon emissions in 2018.
Any solution to transport emissions may need to specifically address ‘super-emitting’ countries and even individuals, through frequent flyer levies.
What is the Most Polluting Way To Travel?
Globally, nearly 3/4 of transport emissions are estimated to come from road vehicles – these account for around 80% of the rise in emissions from 1970-2010. Road transport is the main cause of UK transport emissions too, accounting for 91% of domestic transport emissions in 2019.
However, roads aren’t the only cause for concern. A return flight from London to San Francisco produces twice the emissions per person that a family car does in one year.
Aviation’s emissions are also a worry because of their projected growth and how it could hamper global efforts to limit temperature rises. Scientists use the term ‘carbon budget’ to refer to the amount of carbon dioxide humans can emit while staying under the key 1.5°C warming limit.
Some calculations suggest aviation emissions from 2015-2050 could take up a quarter of this budget if international flights grow by 5% annually.
UK Policy So Far
Progress has begun towards low-emission transportation here; the number of electric car sales in the UK in September, nearly equalled that for all of 2019.
Progress has also been made in other sectors, with initiatives such as the famous ‘Boris Bikes’ in London to encourage ‘active transport’. Fuel-efficient bus fleets in some cities, such as 2,600 hybrid buses in London, and congestion charges to discourage driving in some areas of London, partially in order to reduce pollution.
“the government pledged £5bn towards bus services and cycling routes, including 4,000 zero-carbon buses in England and Wales.”
In February 2020, the government pledged £5bn towards bus services and cycling routes, including 4,000 zero-carbon buses in England and Wales.However, transport still contributed 27% of the UK’s total emissions in 2019. This was only a 3% reduction since 2009; clearly more action is needed.
Hitting The Road
Returning to Glasgow, Transport Day delivered three key declarations from delegates about international efforts toward sustainable transport.
The first, on speeding up the transition to zero-emission cars and vans, featured promises from governments, businesses, and car manufacturers. Several governments agreed that their own vehicle fleets will be zero-emission by at least 2035.
Six car manufacturers committed to 100% zero-emission new car and van sales by 2040, or by 2035 in leading markets, though key emitters like Volkswagen and Toyota were absent.
Some manufacturers who declined to add their names said they were still committed to reaching the same goal, but weren’t confident that global infrastructure would allow them to do so, in line with the declaration.
Reach For The Sky
Wednesday also saw the first meeting of the International Aviation Climate Ambition Coalition, made up of ministers and state representatives.
Its declaration committed to supporting the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), promoting sustainable aviation fuels and innovative lower-carbon aircraft technologies, and preparing state actions plans on reducing aviation emissions, to be submitted before the next International Civil Aviation Organisation meeting.
Staying Afloat
Finally, the Clydebank Declaration centred on a collective aim to support the establishment of green shipping corridors– zero-emissions maritime routes between at least 2 ports.
The signatories want at least six such corridors established by the middle of the decade and then to scale this up with longer routes, more routes, and more ships on these routes.
“Green shipping corridors might be a starting point in emissions reduction, but much more action will be needed.”
The project will need the creation of zero-emission fuels, decarbonisation infrastructure, and likely will also require regulatory support from governments. Shipping currently contributes around 3% of all carbon dioxide emissions, and previous targets for emissions reduction have been criticised as under-ambitious.
With pressure for the International Maritime Organisation to adopt a target of zero-emission international shipping by 2050. Green shipping corridors might be a starting point in emissions reduction, but much more action will be needed.
On Your Bike
Some attendees have been focused on promoting ‘active transport’, walking or cycling, for example, to cut emissions.
The EU Commission’s Vice-President, Frans Timmermans, praised cycling as a way to cut your individual carbon footprint– partially as a result of the ‘bike boom’ of the pandemic, many cities have been introducing extra infrastructure like bike lanes and reduced speed limits.
In the last year, almost half of EU nations have had a tax incentive or other scheme to boost cycling. Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, has pledged to complete 100km of cycling and walking routes in the city, by the end of the year and has announced a new bike-hire scheme.
Are We Nearly There Yet?
It’s clear that governments are waking up to the need to decarbonise transport if the world is to avoid the most damaging effects of climate change.
“the cooperation of the private sector is essential.”
It’s a fact that’s also working its way into the public consciousness through conversations about electric cars, criticism of domestic flights, and more.
However, the cooperation of the private sector is essential. For example, the reluctance of major car manufacturers to commit to COP26’s net-zero target is a cause for concern.
Progress is being made, but it will take a combination of individuals, international bodies, companies, and governments to get us to our destination.
Featured image courtesy of Denys Nevozhai on Unsplash. No changes were made to this image. Image license found here.
cerysjones
Cerys is a first-year journalism student at the University of Sheffield with a special interest in news journalism and politics. She has been published in Big Issue North and is also an Instagram Editor at Empoword Journalism. When she's not writing, she is usually watching Manchester United - or her dog has his head on her laptop keyboard.