Leapfrogging to electric mobility: a strategy to detoxify and decarbonize
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| UNEA 4 Side Event on Electric Mobility |
The electric mobility wave has been set in motion and cannot be stopped with low- and middle-income countries presenting the largest potential market share. According to Climate Action, it is projected that approximately three-quarters of the global vehicle fleet will be found in low- and middle-income countries by 2050. Currently, these countries rely heavily on polluting used vehicle imports from OECD countries as well as imported ‘dirty’ fuels. Without urgent intervention, the rapid motorization level in emerging economies combined with high sulphur fuels is a ticking time bomb for increased climate change and air pollution.
Switching to electric mobility is a key strategy in mitigating against increasing air pollution and to meet global climate emission reduction targets. E-Mobility is at its core a necessary disruptive intervention in view of the transport sector’s rising share of global greenhouse gas emissions particularly in low- and middle-income countries. A “business as usual” culture will not achieve the results needed to meet Paris Climate Agreement targets. Drastic measures in mobility mechanisms must be taken if the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) recommended 1.5°C global temperature rise limit is to remain feasible.
Countries had a reason to smile during the recently concluded Fourth United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA 4) with the passing of a ground-breaking resolution on Sustainable Mobility. Building up on this, a side event on “Leapfrogging to electric mobility: a strategy to detoxify and decarbonize” was also held during UNEA 4 bringing together a vast array of member states, stakeholders and mobility experts. The objective of this event was to contribute towards the proposed UN Environment Global Electric Mobility Programme which aims at helping low- and middle-income countries to introduce and upscale electric mobility programs/projects. The new electric mobility programme will be a major contribution to UN Environment’s work on air quality, specifically the UN Environment Assembly’s Air Quality Resolution, Sustainable Mobility Resolution and the Paris Climate Agreement. It will support over 30 countries and cities most of whom are low- and middle-income countries. In addition, its implementation will include setting up of regional platforms that will provide technical support, establish a community of practice, and support financing for demonstration projects.
There is a clear interest in electric mobility from low- and middle-income countries. The Minister of Environment from the Seychelles, Mr. Wallace Cosgrow, made a strong push for electric mobility stating that Small Island Developing States (SIDS) should not risk being left behind and should make strides toward energy efficient mobility. Seychelles plans to hit a target of 30% of all private vehicles being electric by 2030. Ms. Carolina Schmidt, Minister of Environment- Chile, emphasized the environmental benefits of electrification on air quality and that Chile was proud to have the second largest e-mobility fleet in the world only second to China. The European Union added that electrifying the vehicle fleet of low- and middle-income countries provided a huge economic opportunity for OEDC countries also through e-mob imports, exports as well as local manufacturing possibilities within partner countries.
In attendance were member states and stakeholders from the regions of Latin America, Africa, the European Union and the private sector namely: UN Environment; the Secretariat for the Environment and Sustainable Development-Argentina; Ministry of Environment and Energy- Costa Rica; Ministries of the Environment of Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Santa Lucia Uruguay, Seychelles; private sector/industry organizations (BYD, Renault, BMW, Enel, Engie); the Latin American Association for Sustainable Mobility (ALAMOS) and the European Union.
Switching to electric mobility is a key strategy in mitigating against increasing air pollution and to meet global climate emission reduction targets. E-Mobility is at its core a necessary disruptive intervention in view of the transport sector’s rising share of global greenhouse gas emissions particularly in low- and middle-income countries. A “business as usual” culture will not achieve the results needed to meet Paris Climate Agreement targets. Drastic measures in mobility mechanisms must be taken if the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) recommended 1.5°C global temperature rise limit is to remain feasible.
Countries had a reason to smile during the recently concluded Fourth United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA 4) with the passing of a ground-breaking resolution on Sustainable Mobility. Building up on this, a side event on “Leapfrogging to electric mobility: a strategy to detoxify and decarbonize” was also held during UNEA 4 bringing together a vast array of member states, stakeholders and mobility experts. The objective of this event was to contribute towards the proposed UN Environment Global Electric Mobility Programme which aims at helping low- and middle-income countries to introduce and upscale electric mobility programs/projects. The new electric mobility programme will be a major contribution to UN Environment’s work on air quality, specifically the UN Environment Assembly’s Air Quality Resolution, Sustainable Mobility Resolution and the Paris Climate Agreement. It will support over 30 countries and cities most of whom are low- and middle-income countries. In addition, its implementation will include setting up of regional platforms that will provide technical support, establish a community of practice, and support financing for demonstration projects.
There is a clear interest in electric mobility from low- and middle-income countries. The Minister of Environment from the Seychelles, Mr. Wallace Cosgrow, made a strong push for electric mobility stating that Small Island Developing States (SIDS) should not risk being left behind and should make strides toward energy efficient mobility. Seychelles plans to hit a target of 30% of all private vehicles being electric by 2030. Ms. Carolina Schmidt, Minister of Environment- Chile, emphasized the environmental benefits of electrification on air quality and that Chile was proud to have the second largest e-mobility fleet in the world only second to China. The European Union added that electrifying the vehicle fleet of low- and middle-income countries provided a huge economic opportunity for OEDC countries also through e-mob imports, exports as well as local manufacturing possibilities within partner countries.In attendance were member states and stakeholders from the regions of Latin America, Africa, the European Union and the private sector namely: UN Environment; the Secretariat for the Environment and Sustainable Development-Argentina; Ministry of Environment and Energy- Costa Rica; Ministries of the Environment of Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Santa Lucia Uruguay, Seychelles; private sector/industry organizations (BYD, Renault, BMW, Enel, Engie); the Latin American Association for Sustainable Mobility (ALAMOS) and the European Union.