Mobility is changing

The term sustainable mobility goes far beyond reducing emissions. The transport sector has the potential to improve the lives and livelihoods of billions of people. However, as well as meeting people’s needs today, the sector must be ready to respond to future generations’ expectations: this is the essence of sustainable development.

Fossil fuels were first used to power transport in 1804 with the first steam-powered train journey. Over the past 200 years, fossil fuels have come to power the vast majority of transport on land, at sea and in the air. 

The main difference between renewable fuels and fossil fuels is where they come from. Fossil fuels are made from non-renewable fossil resources and release the carbon from these fuels into the atmosphere. Renewable fuels are made from previously used materials (waste and residues) or from oil extracted from plants that can re-absorb CO2 from the air through photosynthesis.

Transport is responsible for over a quarter of all GHG emissions in the European Union, of which road transport accounts for almost three quarters. To meet climate targets, we need to reduce emissions from transport. Now.

Transport is at the centre of many economic and social development challenges, accounting for about 64 per cent of global oil consumption, 27 per cent of all energy use, and 23 per cent of the world’s energy-related carbon dioxide emissions.⁶