Things need to move at a different pace for transport to contribute to climate goals

“To reach the 2030 climate goals, we need to reduce emissions from the transport sector much faster than we are today. Electrification is a crucial step, but even if all new cars were electric starting today, it would not be enough to achieve the goals. Renewable fuels also have an important role to play, and need to be used much more widely than they are today. But even that is not the whole solution.”

“There is no single technological measure that can solve the climate challenge. We also need to change the way we travel, for example, by creating the conditions for more people to choose walking, cycling and public transport."

In a report for the WWF External link, opens in new window., IVL took a closer look at European cities that have led the way in the transition to climate-smart transport. The conclusion was not only that Swedish cities are lagging behind and that there is much to learn from the pioneers. It is also essential that Swedish cities do their part if Sweden and the EU are going to meet their climate goals. This applies not only to big cities, but also to medium-sized cities, which are home to almost 2.7 million Swedes.

Change is possible

The WWF report describes the cities of Ghent, Birmingham, Leuven and Brussels, all of which have restricted through-traffic in city centres by introducing “circulation plans”, while also investing heavily in walking, cycling and public transport.

“What stands out is the scope of these measures and the fact that they have been introduced together with circulation plans. These kinds of measures reduce the space taken up by car traffic and the negative impact of noise and air pollution, while maintaining accessibility for those who need to use cars.

One important aspect is the work the cities have done to gain acceptance for the measures. The public has been involved in the process and the Commission has been open to making adjustments to accommodate different viewpoints. The surveys that have been done show that a majority of people have been satisfied with the changes that have been made in the cities.“Policy makers tend to overestimate resistance to these types of measures. Those who have positive views are not heard from as much in the debate. It shows that there is a greater potential for change than many politicians believe,” says Tobias Gustavsson Binder.

Businesses a key player in the transition

We also need to step up our efforts in freight transport. IVL has conducted a research project that mapped out how companies with voluntary emission reduction goals for their own transports are contributing to the achievement of the climate goal. The results show that businesses play a key role - not only by contributing to the EU's ambitious goals for the use of electric trucks and accelerating the phase-out of fossil fuels, but by increasing the use of rail transport.

However, the study identifies a critical gap: although the involvement of the business community is crucial, incentives that promote this are often lacking. Due to low diesel prices, the added costs of sustainable transport options are perceived as too high.

“Our message to policymakers is clear: if low fuel costs continue to be prioritised, the contribution of businesses to key aspects of climate policy may remain too small. At the same time, businesses must also be prepared to accept additional costs. There are costs for replacing fossil fuels, and ultimately more people need to share the bill,” says Tobias Gustavsson Binder.

Read more in the report External link, opens in new window.