ACEA

Cancun: Automakers stress commitment to sustainable mobility

At the UN climate conference in Cancun, in December 2010, the European automobile manufacturers’ association ACEA has organised a dedicated side event within the official framework of side events hosted by the UN secretariat. ACEA worked closely together with the US Auto Alliance and the Japanese automotive trade association JAMA. The side event in Cancun followed the successful participation in Copenhagen in 2009.

The programme of the conference in Cancun can be found here
A contribution to the COP16 Magazine can be found here

The conference focussed on policy means to reduce CO2 emissions from transportation. Representatives of a number of NGOs, government bodies as well as the automotive sector discussed a broad variety of options an solutions, and stressed the need to combine al essential factors: technologies, fuels, infrastructure and transport habits and demand.

More information can be found at www.drivingsustainability.com 

What are the challenges?

• Sustainable mobility is about moving people and goods across Europe in the most efficient way, cutting emissions and saving fuel. That means access to the most appropriate transport mode or modes and investing in the technology, infrastructure and management systems that encourage free movement.
• It means improving road safety by building on investment in vehicle technology, focusing on better road design, improved driver education and strong enforcement by the authorities.
• Sustainable mobility is about ensuring consumers have real choices, but also encouraging them to buy the most suitable vehicle for their needs and educating them in eco-driving techniques to cut unnecessary pollution and save money.
• In the manufacture of vehicles, it means finding more sustainable materials in vehicle manufacturing, improving logistics in the supply chain to cut unnecessary waste, and designing more parts to be recycled at the end of their lives rather than being sent to landfill.
• Crucially, sustainable mobility means designing a regulatory framework that allows Europe’s auto industry to thrive and to go on innovating and delivering the technologies and low-emission vehicles for a sustainable future.

Progress today

In the last twenty years, CO2 emissions from cars and commercial vehicles have come down dramatically. Data from car sales reveal a drop about 20% since 1995; similar improvements in efficiency have been reported in heavy trucks. The European Commission has acknowledged this progress and the fact that investment in vehicle technology has been its primary driver. More policy makers now appreciate that, to achieve further significant cuts from road transport, society must look beyond vehicle technology alone. This is called the integrated approach.

Progress tomorrow

In-vehicle technology will continue to play a role, particularly in the development of further efficient powertrains, new drivetrain technologies as well as inter-connected transport networks. Government policies must also involve more cost-effective means of driving down CO2, such as eco-driving, joined-up fiscal incentives and the development of alternative fuels and renewable energies as well as their infrastructure. Investments in road infrastructure and measures to facilitate traffic flow present further practical means to minimise CO2 emissions. Auto makers are working towards tough 2012 targets on CO2 for new cars and further goals set for 2020. The industry will also actively engage in the debate about the Commission’s upcoming White Paper on Transport Policy.

Also visit:
www.acea.be/index.php/collection/co2_emissions_background/
www.acea.be/index.php/news/news_detail/cars_trucks_and_the_environment/
The programme of the conference in Cancun can be found here A contribution to the COP16 Magazine can be found here

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