The Paris climate conference, COP21, represents a pivotal moment in global politics, marking the first time we have international recognition of the risks of climate change. Over 190 nations gathered to develop an agreement to hold the increase in the global average temperature to below 2 deg. C above pre-industrial levels by each nation reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) and carbon dioxide emissions.
Transportation is the fastest growing source of carbon dioxide in the world. According to the International Energy Agency, greenhouse gas emissions from transportation will increase by 120% from 2000 to 2050. Subsequently, a major take-away from the Paris meeting was that action at the city-level and investment by the private sector will be critical to long-term success.
In the U.S., municipal fleets and on-road transportation are significant contributors to the nation’s total carbon footprint. Fleet transportation can make up 60 to 70% of a midsize city’s total GHG emissions. Likewise, inbound supply chain and outbound distribution can account for 50% or more of a typical consumer goods company’s footprint. And for an organization like the U.S. Postal Service, transportation services account for nearly 80% of its total GHG impact.
Due to the contributions of fleet vehicles to climate change, significant leadership and action will be required by those that control these fleets to drive meaningful investment in advanced technologies and clean fuels.
Several progressive public sector organizations have already begun to work on plans to reduce their controlled GHG emissions some 80% by 2050. The Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance is a collaboration of cities from around the world committed to reducing GHG emissions using this “80x50” approach.
With more than one-half of a typical city’s carbon footprint coming from fleet operations, there is no way to reduce GHG emissions by 80% without aggressive investments in electric vehicles, renewable fuels, and other low carbon transportation options. Cities like Los Angeles, Seattle, Phoenix, Columbus, Colorado Springs, Dallas, and dozens of others are already moving in this direction.
However, cities can’t do it alone. Plans made at the local level will need to be met with multi-stakeholder cooperation, including investment from the private sector to accelerate climate action on the ground. As we have seen by President Obama’s American Business Act of Climate Pledge, over 150 corporations from across the American economy have committed to reducing their emissions and increasing their investments in low-carbon solutions. Leading global brands such as Frito-Lay, P&G, Anheuser-Busch, UPS, Wal-Mart, Unilever, Penske, Ryder, and dozens of others are already taking aggressive action on sustainability, including significant clean fleet project efforts.
While the early momentum is reassuring, the world needs to see continued aggressive leadership on fleet sustainability. Fleet operators across the globe will need to roll up their sleeves to do their part in helping the global community deliver on the goals agreed upon in Paris.
Mark your calendars to attend the 2016 Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Southern California, May 2-5, to gain an in-depth look at the growing role of advanced transportation technologies and clean renewable fuels to meet the goals laid out in the ambitious climate agreement.
