UNECE and partners highlight need to decarbonise inland transport and how UN tools and legal instruments can help

6 December 2023, sustainable low carbon mobility was at the centre of debates at the event organised at COP28’s SDG Pavilion by UNECE, UNESCAP and UN DESA.

The global transport sector has the highest reliance on fossil fuels of any sector. In 2021 it accounted for almost one fourth of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The road transport sector, including passenger cars, buses, heavy and light duty commercial vehicles, is the major GHG contributor of the transport sector, accounting for approximately 77% of global transport related GHG emissions.

Sustainable low carbon mobility is thus a high policy priority for practically all Governments and central to delivering on Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement. However, the road to achieving this remains a cumbersome one.

To get on track with the Net Zero Emissions (NZE) by 2050 Scenario, CO2 emissions from the transport sector must fall by more than 3% per year to 2030. Today`s combustion engine dominated transport sector continues to rely on oil products for nearly 91% of its final energy.

The drastic reductions in emissions and guaranteed high transport accessibility levels that are needed can only be achieved through a mix of policies and measures.

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