G20 High-level Principles for Transport Decarbonisation
The world continues to experience more extreme weather events, including devastating floods, record-high temperatures, and extensive wildfires. As well as the catastrophic loss of life, livelihoods, and habitats, these events have substantial economic impacts. Transport accounts for 23% of pre-Covid-19 global energy-related CO2 emissions, making it a vital sector to decarbonise.
Continuing on the current policy pathway could see CO2 emissions rise from 7.8 giga-tonnes in 2022 to 8.3 giga-tonnes in 2050. Despite a dip in emissions during the Covid-19 pandemic, emissions from the transport sector continue to rise, driven by demand which is forecast to roughly double by 2050 for both passenger and freight transport, which will indirectly increase demand for energy to meet this need. Whilst most governments have put in place policies to tackle emissions from transportation, the sector is currently not on track to decarbonise in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
As the world’s largest economies, responsible for 70% of global CO2 emissions from transportation, the G20 are uniquely situated to play a leading role in enabling and delivering the global decarbonisation of the transport sector, shifting global investment towards the clean technologies required to do so. The following high-level principles set out a common, international framework to guide the decarbonisation of the transport sector. These principles provide a shared vision and supporting actions that will not only deliver a decarbonised transport sector but a more sustainable way of life for our populations and future generations.
- Implement ambitious policies and targets to reduce emissions from transport.
- Promote a resource-efficient and circular economy for the transport sector.
- Ensure equity is at the heart of decarbonising the transport sector.
- Ensure resilient transport systems.
- Collaborate across sectors and actors to facilitate decarbonisation of transport and leverage wider benefits.
- Collaborate internationally to facilitate the global decarbonisation of the transport sector.
Download the G20 High-level Principles for Transport Decarbonisation