Enhancing Transport Decarbonization in the European Union    

The European Union (EU) has established itself as a global frontrunner in climate action, targeting a climate-neutral economy by 2050 with a sector-specific ambition to cut transport-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 90 percent from 1990 levels. Despite stringent regulatory requirements and a strong policy framework, transport emissions in the EU remain off track, highlighting the need for additional efforts to reverse this trend. Transport is the only major economic sector where GHG emissions remain above 1990 levels, with emissions in 2022 being 26 percent higher than in 1990, with road transport accounting for 73 percent of transport emissions. Analysis undertaken for this report suggests that meeting growing passenger and freight transport demand will require a new approach that complements existing efforts.  

This report highlights strategic areas of opportunity for the EU and its member states to use existing funds more efficiently while implementing public policies and incentives that can drive substantial progress toward meeting the EU’s transport decarbonization goals. The report targets the EU and its 27 member states, focusing on strategic policy actions to advance transport decarbonization at the EU-, national-, and local-level.