The European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change, established by the European Climate Law, recommends EU emission reductions of 90 to 95% by 2040, relative to 1990, grounded on a science-based assessment addressing fairness and feasibility.
Urgent need for ambitious actions
The Advisory Board conducted a comprehensive assessment of the latest available scientifically based greenhouse gas emission scenarios for achieving climate neutrality in the EU by 2050, in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Based on rigorous analysis considering fairness and feasibility, the findings highlight the urgent need for ambitious actions to address climate change. The report also outlines possible pathways and related overarching policy choices to achieve the necessary emission reductions.
In the report ‘Scientific advice for the determination of an EU-wide 2040 climate target and a greenhouse gas budget for 2030–2050’, the EU’s advisory body on climate change provides EU institutions with a science-based estimate of a 2040 climate target and an EU greenhouse gas emissions budget for the period 2030-2050.
The report also addresses mobility, including heavy-duty vehicles, rail, and multi-modal transport.
Heavy duty vehicles
The fuel consumption from the transport of goods can be reduced with supply chain optimization and the roll-out of connected vehicles. The decarbonization of heavy-duty vehicles can be supported by battery-electric lorries, including electric road systems, sustainably sourced biofuels, hydrogen supported by the required infrastructure, and fuel efficiency improvements. Biofuels can support the transition period towards possible future electrification; however, the production of biofuels is limited by land resources, competing with food production and ecosystem services (IPCC, 2022l, p. 10).
Rail and multi-modal transport
The decarbonization of the transport sector can be achieved with a decrease in road and air transport and an increase in rail transport, other modes of public transportation, and shared mobility services. This shift requires a change in behaviors and the development of the rail network, including high-speed rail. It can be supported by digitalization, the development of Intelligent Transport Systems and multi-modal transport connections, and connected vehicles for shared services.
Source: The European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change