The European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT) has published a new report entitled, “Cutting Transport CO2 emissions: What Progress?” The report, which was co-funded by the FIA Foundation, examines the level of CO2 emissions from the transport sector and reviews the effectiveness of CO2 abatement policies.
The report analyses over 400 abatement measures that have either been introduced or are under development across Europe and makes recommendations for future policy direction.
Among its key findings is that the largest and most cost effective abatement policies come from initiatives to improve fuel efficiency. Linked to this, the report states that significant cost effective savings could be made through efforts to promote fuel efficient driving. The Eco-Test, in particular, is highlighted as an effective information and education tool for drivers.
Vehicle taxation is also highlighted as an area for reform. Vehicle tax, the report says, should be based on a vehicle’s specific CO2 emissions and highly differentiated.
Until now, the report notes, modal shift policies have been largely favoured in emissions reductions strategies. While recognising this is a valid approach, the report stresses that modal shift should not be over emphasised as it tends to be a weak policy in terms of the quantity of CO2 abated.
On alternative fuels, the report says that biofuels can offer potentially significant CO2 abatement opportunities, but currently at a high cost. Government funding for research and development could, it says, bring forward its development. Similarly, hydrogen, while not an effective tool in the short term, may have a role to play in the very long term.
In its conclusions the report stresses that more government action is needed to slow down transport sector CO2 emissions growth. Cost effectiveness should be the main determinant of which abatement policies to adopt. Of those policies analysed for the purpose of the ECMT Review, the largest and most cost measures come from initiatives to improve fuel efficiency.
http://www.cemt.org/events/JustPub/justCO2.htm