Study shows low carbon fuel standards among key policies to decarbonize transport

In Canada, ground transportation is responsible for almost a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions globally—and account for about 40 percent of emissions in British Columbia.

Increasing emissions from this sector suggest further growth despite current policies. Continuing down this path puts into question whether we can meet the Paris Agreement requirements to slow the planet’s warming.

In a study funded by the Pacific Institute for Climate Change Solutions, researchers carried out an in-depth evaluation of policies and policy combinations to reduce road transport emissions, and to determine which road transport policies work, in what combinations, and why.

Their findings, which lay out how we may achieve climate goals, have been published in the journal Nature Climate Change. The co-authors identify three regulations that need to lead the way: vehicle emission standards, low-carbon fuel standards, and a Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) sales mandate.