COP21 yesterday saw a call from ministers, industry executives, civil society and international organisations for a swift move to zero-emission vehicles as a key component of a future global climate change strategy.
“Electric vehicles can drive us into a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. The IEA has shown that if global warming is to be limited to 2 degrees, at least a fifth of all vehicles on roads by 2030 should be electric,” said Fatih Birol, executive director of International Energy Agency.
Currently, the transport sector is almost completely dependent on fossil fuels and contributes approximately one quarter of all energy-related carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere. The contribution is set to grow to one-third, faster than any other sector.
Ligia Noronha, director of the Division of Technology, Industry and Economics of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), said: “Time has come for a global push towards zero-emission vehicles.
“The continued use of fossil fuels for vehicles is costing too much – in terms of climate, air pollution and economies. To get the necessary benefits we need to ensure this will indeed be a global shift – in all regions and countries.”
