GHG-TRANSPORD - Reducing Greenhouse-gas Emissions of Transport Beyond 2020: Linking R&D, Transport Policies and Reduction Targets
Overview
Background & policy context:
GHG-TRANSPORD concerned reducing greenhouse-gas emissions due to transport beyond 2020. It linked R&D, transport policies and reduction targets.
In early 2007 the EU adopted the objective to limit climate change to 2 degrees Celsius. More specifically, the European leaders defined a target to reduce greenhouse gases by at least -20% until 2020, or -30% if an international agreement was achieved, compared with the emission levels of 1990.
Until 2050 the reductions of the EU emissions should reach -60 to -80%. Transport currently contributes about 27% of the total EU greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In a baseline scenario this share is expected to grow due to continued strong growth of transport demand, in particular of freight transport and air passenger transport, and slower efficiency improvements than for other GHG emitting sectors.
The existing GHG reduction targets do not force reductions of the transport sector, though for specific modes like air transport the planned inclusion into the European emissions trading scheme (EU-ETS) will indirectly impose targets for these modes in a few years. Thus it is obvious that in the future (1) the transport sector will have to contribute to GHG emission reductions such that (2) reduction targets for the different transport modes have to be anticipated and (3) aligned R&D strategies and transport policies have to be developed to efficiently and effectively meet these reduction targets for the medium to long-term.
Objectives:
The GHG-TRANSPORD project aimed to contribute to the development of a R&D strategy for the EU to reduce the GHG emissions of the different transport modes (road, rail, air and shipping) linking this R&D strategy with the available policy measures. The project supported the FP7 objective to develop integrated, 'greener' and smarter transport systems.
Methodology:
The project back-cast from existing GHG emission reduction targets, set at the level of the overall economy to the contribution required from the transport sector. As a starting point GHG-TRANSPORD described the European innovation system of the transport sector considering the global context as well. At the same time it analysed the GHG emission mitigation potentials offered by a broad portfolio of transport technologies and measures. Desk research was complemented by a model-based comparison of ambitious technology pathways with present policies and measures. This was to reveal areas with a largely under-exploited mitigation potential.
GHG-TRANSPORD then further assessed the R&D and other measures to mobilise additional reduction potentials so as to achieve GHG emission reductions in line with the overall EU commitments until 2050.
The project was supported by a Stakeholder Council and regular project workshops to communicate findings and invite the transport community to become involved. Scientific work was carried out by a consortium of partners, involving: TRT from Italy, EC IPTS from Spain, TML from Belgium, ITS (University of Leeds) from the United Kingdom and Fraunhofer-ISI from Germany.
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