Photo taken from the International Energy Agency?s website
Global energy efficiency policies targeting the urban transport system can save as much as $70 trillion in spending, according to a new report from the International Energy Agency.
The $70 trillion savings comes from energy efficiency policies that will cut spending on vehicles, fuel, and transportation infrastructure between now and 2050, according to the report titled ?A Tale of Renewed Cities.?
The report based its findings on studies from more than 30 cities from all over the globe to show how to improve transport efficiency through better urban planning and travel demand management. Additional benefits of improved transport efficiency include lower greenhouse gas emissions as well as a higher quality of life.
Three approaches to policies were presented by the report in order to achieve the $70 trillion-savings ? the ?avoid,? ?shift,? and the ?improve.?
The ?avoid? policies addresses transport energy use and emissions by slowing travel growth through city planning and travel demand management. Examples of ?avoid? policies are providing initiatives for virtual mobility programs such as tele-working, and implementation of logistics technology.
?Shift? policies are those that enable and encourage movements from motorized travel to more energy efficient modes, such as public transportation, cycling, and walking. Policies must target the affordability, frequency, and seamless public transport to mitigate congestion.
?Improve? policies are those that reduce energy consumption and emissions from all travel modes. This can be achieved through the introduction of efficient fuels and vehicles, and policies focusing on fuel economy standards and increased advanced-vehicle technology sales.
?Urgent steps to improve the efficiency of urban transport systems are needed not only for energy security reasons, but also to mitigate the numerous negative climate, noise, air pollutions, congestion and economic impacts of rising urban transport volumes,? said I.E.A. Executive Director Maria van der Hoeven.
Despite vehicles technology improvements, the I.E.A. expects that global travel will double by 2050, translating to an increase of 70 percent in transport energy use and emissions between 2010 and 2050.
?As the share of the world?s population living in cities grows to nearly 70 percent by 2050 and energy consumption for transport in cities is expected to double, the need for efficient, affordable, safe and high-capacity transport solutions will become more acute,? Ms. Van der Hoeven said.
The report, which was supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, is part of I.E.A.?s Policy Pathway series which aims to help policy makers implement the 25 Energy Efficiency Policy Recommendations which urges G8 leaders to adopt and urgently implement energy efficiency measures. ? EcoSeed Staff
Teen Wolf linkedin linkedin Frank Lautenberg Pia Zadora chicago blackhawks Alexandra Lenas
No comments:
Post a Comment