A
roadmap towards greater global fuel economy
that would halve greenhouse gas emissions
from cars must be embarked upon immediately,
and integrated into financial support for
the car industry, according to a joint international
agency report issued today.
The '50 by 50' Global
Fuel Economy Initiative (GFEI) report shows
how annual savings of six billion barrels
of oil and 2 gigatonnes of CO2 – equivalent
to half the total current annual emissions
of the EU - are achievable through an ambitious
world wide programme.
The report sets out a path to a reduction
in fuel consumption per kilometre of 50%
by 2050 – with intermediate goals in 2020
and 2030 - in line with suggestions made
by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC).
It shows that world wide,
the car fleet is set to triple by 2050,
with serious implications for the global
effort to address climate change unless
reducing transport emissions and improving
fuel economy becomes an urgent global priority.
As a partnership working on the GFEI, the
UN Environment Programme (UNEP), International
Energy Agency (IEA), International Transport
Forum (ITF) and FIA Foundation have set
out a radical but achievable agenda, which
they will present to a range of key stakeholders
at a series of events this year.
With the vehicle industry
featuring prominently in recent financial
support packages, this initiative gives
concrete options for the world to change
to cleaner and more efficient cars.
The GFEI will work with governments, the
car industry and other stakeholders to achieve
this goal, starting at the Geneva Motor
Show. The agenda should be achievable just
using existing, cost-effective technologies
such as better engines and drive trains,
more efficient components such as tyres,
and lighter materials. Objectives for 2009
include:
- Developing regional
assessments and organising launches in Europe,
North America, Latin America, and in Asia
– towards political engagement with regional
groupings and individual countries.
- Starting four national
pilot projects in different regions world
wide to support countries with the development
of national fuel economy policies. Initiatives
will also include an interactive toolkit
for fuel economy policy development.
- Developing a fuel
economy information database, information
materials and website (www.50by50campaign.org).
- Engaging with G8 and UN processes.
Speaking at the launch:
Nobuo Tanaka, Executive
Director IEA said: "We have to find
ways to reconcile legitimate aspirations
for mobility, an ambitious reduction in
CO2 from cars worldwide, and global economic
recovery. In confronting the economic recession
this is a real opportunity for governments
to combine support for the auto industry
with measures to achieve environmental and
energy policy goals. The faster we can move
on this, the more benefits will accrue."
Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary
General and UNEP Executive Director said:
"The crucial UN climate convention
meeting, taking place in some 300 days in
Copenhagen must agree a deep, decisive and
comprehensive deal to lift the threat of
global warming from the lives of billions
of people. Transport is a crucial sector
in this transformation to a low carbon,
green economy. The world's car fleet is
expected to triple by 2050 with 80 per cent
of this growth in developing economies.
Thus an initiative like GEFI has a key role
to play. We would urge the world's car and
component makers to get on board to prove
that they too are part of the solution."
Jack Short, Secretary
General ITF said: "The Global Fuel
Economy Initiative provides a much needed
roadmap for action both now and in the long
term. We have set clear targets which will
have both environmental and economic benefits,
and we already have the technology and the
means to get us on the road to making our
cars 50% more fuel efficient – all that
is needed are coordinated efforts and actions
from both industry and governments."
David Ward, Director
General FIA Foundation said: "This
initiative can have a huge impact on the
motoring public. Through tax incentives
and information campaigns it would help
stimulate consumer demand for more fuel
efficient cars. This is not an agenda for
some point far off in the future. Our 50%
fuel efficiency target requires us to change
direction and take important actions right
now."
Notes to editors:
- The '50 by 50' Global
Fuel Economy Initiative will be launched,
and report released, at the Geneva Motor
Show Palexpo Conference Centre, Room G on
4 March 2009 at 14.15 (CET). Visit www.salon-auto.ch/en/presse
for details and accreditation
- Download an embargoed
copy of the report, not for publication
before 4 March, 14.45: http://www.fiafoundation.org/50by50/Documents/50BY50_report.pdf
- For further information visit www.50by50campaign.org
- The FIA Foundation is an independent UK
registered charity which manages and supports
an international programme of activities
promoting environmental protection, road
safety and sustainable mobility, as well
as funding specialist motor sport safety
research.
Avi Silverman FIA Foundation
Nick Nuttall, UNEP mobile, Kenya
Michael Zirpel, International Transport
Forum
Henning Lohse, IEA
