Automakers Agree Cop26 To End Fossil Fuel Vehicle Sales By 2040 | Cop26
Twenty-four countries and a group of major automakers have pledged to end the era of fossil-fueled vehicles by 2040 “or beforeâ€, as part of a major new commitment defined at Cop26 .
The agreement for sale only zero-emission vehicles from that date, unveiled at the UN climate summit in Glasgow on Wednesday, includes Canada, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Ireland and the UK, who had already agreed to phase out sales of new gasoline and diesel cars by 2030.
Ford, Mercedes, Volvo and Mercedes-Benz are among the automakers to sign the deal, pledging to meet the target by 2035 in “major markets,” as are many cities and regional governments, including New York, London, Barcelona and the Australian capital. Territory.
Another group of countries, including India and Kenya, have agreed to “work intensely to accelerate the proliferation” of zero-emission vehicles, while a group of financiers and fleet owners have also pledged to phase out gradually fossil fuel cars.
But the deal is also notable for its absences, with the United States, China and Germany, the behemoths of the global auto industry, all refusing to sign. Volkswagen and Toyota did not put their names on the deal either, as did BMW, which told the Financial Times there was still “considerable uncertainty as to the development of global infrastructure to support a full transition to zero emission vehicles.” Toyota said: “While we refrain from joining the declaration, we share the same spirit and determination to tackle climate change and remain open to engage and work with stakeholders. Toyota will continue to contribute by doing its best to achieve carbon neutrality. “
Negotiators hoped to announce a sweeping deal involving governments and automakers that would commit them to achieve 100% zero-emission cars and vans by 2035.
The UK government, however, hailed the deal as a “historic global deal” and stressed that in combination with existing commitments to phase out polluting cars, notably by the European Union, it will cover nearly a third of global car sales. Prior to the conference, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had said Cop’s mantra would be “coal, money, cars and treesâ€; he hopes this deal means all four have been covered, to some extent.
Transport accounts for a fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions and the International Energy Agency said the sale of fossil-fueled cars will have to end by 2035 if the world is to avoid exceeding dangerous global warming thresholds.
“Cop26 marks the end of the road for the internal combustion engine,†said Helen Clarkson, CEO of Climate Group. She added: “I welcome all the leaders who stand with us today to show the world that the shift to clean road transport is not only happening, but that it is happening. ‘accelerated.
“For organizations that are particularly absent, the climate cannot wait until you get on board with zero-emission vehicles. It’s time to get out of the slow lane before you miss the exit.
Steven van Weyenberg, the Netherlands Minister for the Environment, said it was “time to accelerate” the transition to electric vehicles. “Not just for the climate,†he said. “Everyone has the right to breathe clean air. It goes both ways – investments now will lead to more green jobs in the years to come. I call on other countries to join our efforts as soon as possible.
Cop26 activists called on governments to move away from all types of cars and transform towns and villages to become more conducive to walking, cycling and public transport. A demonstration to call for better investment in public transport takes place on Thursday morning in Glasgow.
“The evidence is clear that we cannot put our full faith in electric cars – we need a more fundamental change in the way we move, and we have a lot to gain from that,†said Jools Townsend. , president of the Sustainable Transport Alliance.
“By focusing on a transition to public, shared and community transport, walking and cycling, we can create healthier and happier communities and more equal access to opportunities, without adding to emissions and environmental problems through the manufacture of millions of additional cars. â€
A group of city mayors around the world said last week that investment in public transport must double if the climate is to be avoided. “Without a public transport revolution, the world will miss the bus to fight climate change,†said Anies Baswedan, Governor of Jakarta.
” Hurry up. “