Decarbonisation of Transport: Options and Challenges

The EASAC report reviews options for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from European transport. It argues for stronger policies to bridge the gap between the GHG emission reductions that will be delivered by current policies and the levels needed to limit global warming to less than 2°C or even 1.5°C (Paris Agreement). The report focusses on road transport because, in the EU, this contributes 72% of transport GHG emissions. EASAC recommends a combination of transitional measures for the next 10-15 years and sustainable measures for the long term, based on a three level policy framework: avoid and contain demand for transport services; shift passengers and freight to transport modes with lower emissions (trains, buses and ships); and improve performance through vehicle design, more efficient powertrains and replacing fossil fuels with sustainable energy carriers including low-carbon electricity, hydrogen and synthetic fuels. Opportunities for the EU to strengthen its industrial competitiveness and create high quality jobs are also discussed.

Draft Programme

[12:00 light lunch available]

12:30 – 12:40

The European Academies’ Science Advisory Council (EASAC): who we are and what we do

EASAC President Professor Thierry Courvoisier

12:40 – 13:00

Decarbonisation of Transport study: process and results

Project leader Professor Konstantinos Boulouchos, ETH-Zurich

13:00 – 13:10

Policy implications from EASAC’s perspective

Director of EASAC Energy Programme, Dr William Gillett

13:10 Panel responses from

Member of European Parliament: Michael Cramer (Greens/EFA)

Representative of European Commission DG CLIMA: Damien Meadows

European Commission Joint Research Centre: Alois Krasenbrink

European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA): Petr Dolejsi

Transport and Environment T&E : Thomas Earl

International Transport Forum ITF-OECD: Elisabeth Windisch

ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability: Peter Defranceschi

13:40 Open discussion with audience

14:10 Closing remarks by Maria da Graça Carvalho, European Commission

14:15 End of event [networking over coffee]