Decarbonisation of Transport key to fighting Climate Change – Mobility of People and Goods set to see significant transition

• COP29 discussions around transportation will focus on decarbonisation
• Newly launched system level mobility roadmaps ideally placed to support outcomes of COP29
• Finance discussion at COP29 will determine how quickly change will happen

18 November 2024: Highly anticipated Automotive Council UK roadmaps 2024 produced by the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) on behalf of the Automotive Council UK, provide structure and direction for the ongoing discussions taking place on the world-stage at the COP29 conference in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The movement and transportation of both people and goods is seeing a significant shift. Private car ownership, particularly in urban areas is transitioning to more economical and environmentally sustainable options, with a rise in ride-hailing, car-sharing, and the introduction of sustainable mass-transit solutions. Demand for last-mile delivery vehicles continues to grow as does Digital Demand Responsive Transport (DDRT), we are also seeing moves to decarbonise logistic fleets worldwide.

The recently published Mobility of People and Mobility of Goods Roadmaps discuss these issues and set out a future vision to 2040 of the changes and opportunities that lie ahead and the role the decarbonisation of transport will play in the fight against climate change.

Last year’s COP28 conference saw, for the first time, a focus on transport with parties involved called on to “accelerate the reduction of emissions from road transport on a range of pathways, including through the development of infrastructure and rapid deployment of zero- and low-emission vehicles”. This year it is expected there will be discussion focussing on urban mobility and global freight solutions, with an emphasis on supporting the net-zero agenda via transport decarbonisation

The recently launched mobility-focussed system roadmaps were created with input from 436 experts from 230 organisations across industry, government, and academia. They offer a strategic vision that places the automotive sector at the heart of the global transition towards net zero.

Julian Hetherington, Automotive Transformation Director at the APC, said:

“It is imperative that we look holistically at the future mobility landscape, which is changing rapidly. This is why the 2024 roadmaps introduce two new mobility-focussed roadmaps. We are seeing a culmination of changing attitudes to transport – with car sharing and app-based ride-hailing services gaining traction – and the introduction of new technologies, vehicle types (think urban mobility solutions) as well as the continuing electrification of propulsion systems all building.

“The outcomes of the transport discussions at COP will be geared towards supporting net-zero targets and the financing of these will be a particular focus of the conference. The roadmaps APC have produced point to what our predictions are for the future based on significant research and consultation with a wide range of stakeholders. Funding and financing will be the enabler and ultimately determine how quickly change is made.”

Read the Mobility of People and Mobility of Goods Roadmaps and the supporting narrative reports here: Our Roadmaps – Advanced Propulsion Centre