Analytics, Ecology, EU – Baltic States, Modern EU, Transport

Transport is already responsible for one fourth of energy related greenhouse gas emissions. Without “disruptive” action, transport emissions can be expected to grow from 7.7 Gt to around 15Gt by 2050.

This is a global problem: in almost half world states, transport is the largest source of energy related emissions; for another half – it is the second largest source. Transport, therefore needs to be a key part of any effective solution on Climate Change.

Discussions in the Transport Action Area under the Global Climate Action Agenda, GCAA in COP22 in Marrakech indicated that tackling emissions from transport was both possible and cost effective; besides, sustainable solutions are already available.

Leaders’ opinion

- Ségolène Royal, Minister of the Environment, Energy and Marine Affairs, responsible for International Climate Relations (France) said that transport sector has made a “great start” towards sustainability leading by example and spearheading the development of the broader Global Climate Action Agenda. She underlined that 15 non-state actor transport initiatives whose progress had been reported in Marrakech have such a scope and scale that they would trigger a broad transformation of the transport sector, as required to deliver on the Paris Agreement.

- Dr. Hakima El Haite, Minister of Environment and Climate Champion (Morocco) said that transport initiatives by non-state actors have been a key for a successful implementation of the Nationally Determined Contributions submitted by over 160 countries on the occasion of COP21 in Paris in 2015. The transport initiatives, by creating a new reality on the ground, he added, increase popular understanding and support for climate action which, in turn, drives up governments ambition to tackle climate change.

- Mohamed Boussaid, Minister of Transport, Morocco argued that for a growing region like Africa which is heavily impacted by climate change affordable and locally appropriate transport solutions were needed to support economic and social development, provide access to mobility, and create local value. He added that a new “African Association for Sustainable Road Transport” was launched by Morocco at COP22, which wanted to share experience and catalyse the development of resilient and intelligent highway infrastructure and the deployment of e-mobility in Morocco and beyond.  

Global Climate Action Agenda initiatives

Scaled-up action being taken by the GCAA Transport initiatives since COP21 in 2015 already includes:

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• The Global Fuel Economy Initiative (GFEI) is supporting an additional 40 countries to realize the financial, and CO₂ benefits of improved vehicle fuel economy.
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• Airport Carbon Accreditation Scheme now has 173 certified airports worldwide, including 26 carbon neutral airports – 36% of air passengers now travel through an Airport Carbon Accredited airport.
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• The MobiliseYourCity initiative secured €35 million in funding over the last 12 months and is making use of COP22 to announce the start of developing Sustainable Urban Mobility plans in Morocco and Cameroon.

A series of pre-2020 Quick-Wins were proposed to optimize the contribution of transport towards pre-2020 mitigation. The sector is also working to build broad consensus around a common, phased, regionally appropriate Global Macro Roadmap – to integrate and guide the transformation of the whole sector.

“The development of the Global Macro Roadmap allows to engage both public and private entities in a dialogue on how to cater to an increasing need for mobility and transport, whilst drastically cutting GHG emissions”, said Cornie Huizenga, Secretary General, Partnership for Sustainable, Low Carbon Transport (SLoCaT) and co-founder of Paris Process on Mobility and Climate (PPMC).

Another proposal, i.e. Global Macro Roadmap can provide Governments with a guiding policy framework and can also provide confidence to transport sector and catalyze innovation and private sector investment in low carbon transport.

Discussions on Transport during COP22 concluded that it is time to dramatically scale up action on sustainable transport. Only by working together can state and non-state actors develop and implement meaningful actions to implement the Paris Agreement.

“Effective action on low carbon transport can’t be driven by climate considerations alone. Transport is only truly sustainable if, in addition to decarbonising transport, we also make a significant contribution to delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on, inter alia, road safety, air quality, health and access for all including for disadvantaged groups”, said Paula Caballero, Global Director, Climate Program, World Resources Institute, and one of the architects of the Sustainable Development Goals framework.

About Global Climate Action

France and Morocco's global climate champions have set out their detailed agenda to boost cooperative action between governments, cities, business, investors and citizens to cut emissions rapidly and help vulnerable nations adapt to climate impacts and build their own clean energy, sustainable futures.

The message from these two countries is clear: “A year after COP 21, the great dynamic of climate action was growing strong. In Marrakech, the time has come to start to take stock of what has been achieved during the last year. To be consistent with the long-term goals, all actors will have to work together, not only to achieve the national targets of the NDCs, but also to go further and bridge the gap of emissions. This sense of urgency should guide all world states into accelerating immediate efforts and delivering ambitious action to identify what concrete policy options and what tools would have to mobilize in the short term. The science is clear: the path towards achieving the long-term goals should bring states to peaking GHG emissions by 2020. On the current trends, we will be in 2030 between 11 to 14 GT above Paris-compatible pathways. The days in Morocco are to strengthen all efforts and take them to the next level to stay on track for the objectives: stay well below 2°C and if possible 1,5°C, increase adaptation and resilience capacities and reorient financial flows. It is our responsibility, as champions, to make the link between the real world and the COP process. Political leaders from all around the world should hear and be inspired by the solutions at our reach.”

Climate Champions Laurence Tubiana (France) and Hakima El Haité (Morocco)

All measures mentioned above are going to have a lasting effect on the Baltic Sea Region’s states and their economic policies.

Additional information in the following websites:

- Progress report on the 15 GCAA Transport initiatives;

- Global Macro Roadmap for decarbonizing transport;

- Pre 2020 transport Quick Wins; - Michelin Challenge Bibendum;

 - Paris Process on Mobility and Transport

Partnership for Sustainable Low Carbon Transport (SLoCaT);

- World Resources Institute - Transport.