23 MAY 2024 · ENVIRONMENT
Opening the 2024 ITF Summit of Transport Ministers in Leipzig, Germany, IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto has stressed the importance of a pragmatic approach to decarbonising commercial road transport based on proven, available efficiency measures.
Governments need to support proven efficiency measures, at the same time as alternative fuels investment, to decarbonise effectively, IRU told transport ministers and industry leaders from around the world at the opening plenary session of the annual Summit of the International Transport Forum (ITF).
“Greening the world road transport industry is our mission, and we can’t let crises – however grave – disrupt progress to carbon neutrality. But this will only happen if we decarbonise pragmatically,” said Umberto de Pretto.
IRU Green Compact research has found that the best way to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 is for the industry and governments to deliver on two types of actions simultaneously: energy efficiency measures and alternative fuels implementation.
Energy efficiency measures – available right now – can cut 50% of all CO2 emissions from commercial road transport from now through to 2050.
A steady transition to new alternative fuels and the vehicles, infrastructure and business models needed to run them – including electricity, hydrogen and carbon-neutral biofuels – covers the other 50%.
“The important point here is that both need to happen now and over time through to 2050. We need to act now on all fronts. ”UMBERTO DE PRETTOIRU Secretary General
IRU also emphasised the role of technology neutrality and warned against misguided forced modal shift policies.
Umberto de Pretto concluded, “Are we aiming to save the planet or a particular mode of transport? All modes need to work together to provide a full range of network services to users. We all need to work together, with each other, with governments, and with our clients, to keep greening transport.
“Transport operators – of all modes – know best how to operate services in the most efficient and, therefore, the greenest way possible. Trust in them and the power of a well-regulated market.”
IRU was joined by other notable government and international leaders at the opening plenary session.
China’s Vice Minister of Transport, Yang Li, thanked IRU for its work with the Chinese government and the TIR system in helping China advance sustainable transport.
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe’s Executive Secretary, Tatiana Molcean, also highlighted the crucial role of TIR in global supply chains.
