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International Agencies
Launch 50% Global Fuel Economy Plan to Key Industry Players at Geneva Motor
Show
GENEVA (UNEP/IEA/ITF/FIA Foundation),
04 March 2009 - A roadmap towards greater global fuel economy that would halve
greenhouse gas emissions from cars must be embarked upon immediately, and
integrated into financial support for the car industry, according to a joint
international agency report issued today.
The '50 by 50' Global Fuel Economy Initiative (GFEI) report shows how annual
savings of six billion barrels of oil and 2 gigatonnes of CO2 – equivalent to
half the total current annual emissions of the EU - are achievable through an
ambitious world wide programme.
The report sets out a path to a reduction in fuel consumption per kilometre of
50% by 2050 – with intermediate goals in 2020 and 2030 - in line with
suggestions made by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
It shows that world wide, the car fleet is set to triple by 2050, with serious
implications for the global effort to address climate change unless reducing
transport emissions and improving fuel economy becomes an urgent global
priority.
As a partnership working on the GFEI, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP),
International Energy Agency (IEA), International Transport Forum (ITF) and FIA
Foundation have set out a radical but achievable agenda, which they will
present to a range of key stakeholders at a series of events this year.
With the vehicle industry featuring prominently in recent financial support
packages, this initiative gives concrete options for the world to change to
cleaner and more efficient cars.
The GFEI will work with governments, the car industry and other stakeholders
to achieve this goal, starting at the Geneva Motor Show. The agenda should be
achievable just using existing, cost-effective technologies such as better
engines and drive trains, more efficient components such as tyres, and lighter
materials. Objectives for 2009 include:
- Developing regional assessments and organising launches in Europe, North
America, Latin America, and in Asia – towards political engagement with
regional groupings and individual countries.
- Starting four national pilot projects in different regions world wide to
support countries with the development of national fuel economy policies.
Initiatives will also include an interactive toolkit for fuel economy policy
development.
- Developing a fuel economy information database, information materials and
website (www.50by50campaign.org).
- Engaging with G8 and UN processes.
Speaking at the launch:
Nobuo Tanaka, Executive Director IEA said: "We have to find ways to reconcile
legitimate aspirations for mobility, an ambitious reduction in CO2 from cars
worldwide, and global economic recovery. In confronting the economic recession
this is a real opportunity for governments to combine support for the auto
industry with measures to achieve environmental and energy policy goals. The
faster we can move on this, the more benefits will accrue."
Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director said:
"The crucial UN climate convention meeting, taking place in some 300 days in
Copenhagen must agree a deep, decisive and comprehensive deal to lift the
threat of global warming from the lives of billions of people. Transport is a
crucial sector in this transformation to a low carbon, green economy. The
world's car fleet is expected to triple by 2050 with 80 per cent of this
growth in developing economies. Thus an initiative like GEFI has a key role to
play. We would urge the world's car and component makers to get on board to
prove that they too are part of the solution."
Jack Short, Secretary General ITF said: "The Global Fuel Economy Initiative
provides a much needed roadmap for action both now and in the long term. We
have set clear targets which will have both environmental and economic
benefits, and we already have the technology and the means to get us on the
road to making our cars 50% more fuel efficient – all that is needed are
coordinated efforts and actions from both industry and governments."
David Ward, Director General FIA Foundation said: "This initiative can have a
huge impact on the motoring public. Through tax incentives and information
campaigns it would help stimulate consumer demand for more fuel efficient
cars. This is not an agenda for some point far off in the future. Our 50% fuel
efficiency target requires us to change direction and take important actions
right now."
Notes to editors:
- The '50 by 50' Global Fuel Economy Initiative will be launched, and report
released, at the Geneva Motor Show Palexpo Conference Centre, Room G on 4
March 2009 at 14.15 (CET). Visit www.salon-auto.ch/en/presse for details and
accreditation
- Download an embargoed copy of the report, not for publication before 4
March, 14.45: http://www.fiafoundation.org/50by50/Documents/50BY50_report.pdf
- For further information visit www.50by50campaign.org
- The FIA Foundation is an independent UK registered charity which manages and
supports an international programme of activities promoting environmental
protection, road safety and sustainable mobility, as well as funding
specialist motor sport safety research.
Contacts:
Avi Silverman FIA Foundation +44 796 72 29 374
a.silverman@fiafoundation.org
Nick Nuttall, UNEP mobile, Kenya +254 733 632755, or + 41 79 596 57 37 when
travelling nick.nuttall@unep.org.
Michael Zirpel, International Transport Forum +33 (0)1 4524 9596
michael.zirpel@oecd.org
Henning Lohse, IEA, +33 1 40 57 65 50,
henning.lohse@iea.org
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