94
A. S. Santos et al.
Keywords Road transportation · Greenhouse gas emissions · Resource depletion ·
Sustainable development goals · Mitigation actions · Climate policies · ASI
approach · Costs
1 Introduction
The transport sector has a fundamental function in the economic development and
well-being of a society, being considered the life force of cities in acknowledgment
of this critical role [94], however, it is the sector that fastest growing in terms of
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in the world. The modest efforts of the global
transport industries to gradually decarbonize the sector are not enough and the world
has seen continued growth in emissions over the last years [104, 30], due to low
participation of renewable energy and great dependence on fossil fuels [61].
Compared to any other economic sector, transportation accounts for about 20%
of all energy used and around 23% of direct carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions from
combustion of conventional fuels (mainly diesel and gasoline). Furthermore, without
targeted measures to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels and increase the use of
renewable energy, the sector’s emissions could double by 2050 [75].
Particularly, road transportation is the largest energy consumer, involving 75% of
the total energy demanded in the transport sector in 2015 (where 75% was associated with passenger vehicles and 25% with freight vehicles) and representing
80% CO 2 emissions [36]. Road vehicles—cars, trucks, buses and two- and threewheelers—account for nearly three-quarters of transport CO 2 emissions [37]. Urban
buses are a significant source of pollution, impacting local air quality and global
carbon emissions [12].
The transport sector, mainly road transportation, is responsible for a large portion
of CO 2 emissions, and is recognized to be one of the main causes of global warming
and climate change [35]. Thus, it is important to define decarbonization strategies
for the sector translating it in a concrete medium long term action plan consideration
of the drivers of sectoral transformations to achieve the sustainable development [9].
Thus, curbing transport sector emissions through innovative technologies, reduce
energy for transport, electrify transport, fuels substitution (bioenergy, hydrogen, for
example) and modal shift are sustainable strategies for decarbonize the transport
sector, and key components of addressing climate change [39, 85].
Investments in sustainable transportation could lead to fuel savings and lower
operational costs, decreased congestion and reduced air pollution. Additionally, it is
estimated that efforts to promote sustainable transport can deliver savings of up to
US$70 trillion by 2050 [91].
In accordance with the principle of ‘common but differentiated responsibility’
and ‘respective capabilities’ set out in the United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change (UNFCCC), developed country Parties are to provide financial
resources to assist developing country Parties in implementing the objectives of the
Convention [86].
A. S. Santos et al.
Keywords Road transportation · Greenhouse gas emissions · Resource depletion ·
Sustainable development goals · Mitigation actions · Climate policies · ASI
approach · Costs
1 Introduction
The transport sector has a fundamental function in the economic development and
well-being of a society, being considered the life force of cities in acknowledgment
of this critical role [94], however, it is the sector that fastest growing in terms of
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in the world. The modest efforts of the global
transport industries to gradually decarbonize the sector are not enough and the world
has seen continued growth in emissions over the last years [104, 30], due to low
participation of renewable energy and great dependence on fossil fuels [61].
Compared to any other economic sector, transportation accounts for about 20%
of all energy used and around 23% of direct carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions from
combustion of conventional fuels (mainly diesel and gasoline). Furthermore, without
targeted measures to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels and increase the use of
renewable energy, the sector’s emissions could double by 2050 [75].
Particularly, road transportation is the largest energy consumer, involving 75% of
the total energy demanded in the transport sector in 2015 (where 75% was associated with passenger vehicles and 25% with freight vehicles) and representing
80% CO 2 emissions [36]. Road vehicles—cars, trucks, buses and two- and threewheelers—account for nearly three-quarters of transport CO 2 emissions [37]. Urban
buses are a significant source of pollution, impacting local air quality and global
carbon emissions [12].
The transport sector, mainly road transportation, is responsible for a large portion
of CO 2 emissions, and is recognized to be one of the main causes of global warming
and climate change [35]. Thus, it is important to define decarbonization strategies
for the sector translating it in a concrete medium long term action plan consideration
of the drivers of sectoral transformations to achieve the sustainable development [9].
Thus, curbing transport sector emissions through innovative technologies, reduce
energy for transport, electrify transport, fuels substitution (bioenergy, hydrogen, for
example) and modal shift are sustainable strategies for decarbonize the transport
sector, and key components of addressing climate change [39, 85].
Investments in sustainable transportation could lead to fuel savings and lower
operational costs, decreased congestion and reduced air pollution. Additionally, it is
estimated that efforts to promote sustainable transport can deliver savings of up to
US$70 trillion by 2050 [91].
In accordance with the principle of ‘common but differentiated responsibility’
and ‘respective capabilities’ set out in the United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change (UNFCCC), developed country Parties are to provide financial
resources to assist developing country Parties in implementing the objectives of the
Convention [86].