Transport policy at climate conference COP26: EU, China, USA – new electric cars only from 2035 – economy

A two-day trip and around 300 euros: That’s what it means if you don’t want to board a flight from Berlin to the UN’s main climate conference in Glasgow. The flight, on the other hand, takes a few hours and costs a fraction.

Nevertheless, many traveled by land to Glasgow over the weekend. However, a storm on Sunday disrupted train traffic between London and Glasgow, initially leaving several passengers stranded on the track.

COP26 is about this: It shows how urgent the change of traffic and movement is. The transport sector plays a key role in the fight against the ever-increasing CO2 emissions. It accounts for about a quarter of the emissions from the air when fossil fuels are burned, and about 14 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions.

The Paris Climate Agreement, which the delegates want to agree on in the next two weeks, is about the transport sector. It is part of the National Climate Plans that all countries must draw up for the Paris Agreement (NDCs, Nationally Determined Contributions).

At COP, many states, regions and companies are expected to pledge to phase out the production of internal combustion engines – and to further protect the climate in road transport. For this purpose, the UK Presidency dedicates a separate day to transport: Wednesday 10 November.

So far, two announcements have been made for road traffic. The first objective is to ensure that only completely unpolluted cars and vans are registered in the largest markets by 2035. All other markets will follow by 2040.

• The EU must sign the declaration, as well as the individual member states of Spain, Italy and France.
• Egypt has already indicated it will sign – which may be related to the fact that it could host next year’s UN Climate Change Conference (COP27).
• The United States and China have not yet acknowledged themselves, nor have Germany.

The second proclamation already prepared is aimed at medium and heavy commercial vehicles. Their emissions will be reduced to zero in the largest markets by 2040, and this will apply worldwide by 2050.

Among others, Chile, Germany, Greece, Great Britain, Canada, Norway, Austria and Sweden – as well as Scania, Volvo Trucks and BYD – are expected to sign. How successful the two declarations will be depends on how many signatories can be found in the end.

In addition, other groups will advertise for additional support on COP Transport Day. Among other things, the EV100 initiative announces that its members will fully switch to e-mobility by 2030. The initiative so far has 113 members from a variety of industries, including vaccine manufacturer Astra Geneca, management consulting firm Deloitte and the Siemens team.