Challenge 3: Decarbonising Transport

Background

The scale of transformation required through decarbonization is unprecedented. We need to make fundamental changes, not only in how and why we travel, but also in the sectors that support zero-emission mobility – from energy generation and transmission through to vehicle manufacturing and energy storage solutions.

However, the challenge is not as simple as transitioning to the use of electric vehicles, we need solutions to battery recycling, development of cleaner technologies for commercial and niche vehicles and asset utilization and efficiencies.

Inefficiencies in how current mobility assets and infrastructure is deployed are resulting in excess emissions, so there is a huge opportunity to reduce current levels of air pollution to create a more efficient, sustainable transport network around the world.

Why this is important

This third challenge has focused on COP26’s aim to secure global net zero by mid-century and keep 1.5 degrees within reach, and a key way to achieve this, and why this challenge was so important, is through speeding up the switch to electric vehicles and encouraging investment in renewables. Due to the complex and interdependent nature of this challenge, this can only be achieved through collaboration between governments, businesses and civil society.

Target audience/end user

Governments, public sector organizations, and communities need direct access to platforms, products, or technologies that can better enable them to reduce transportation emissions.

Goals

The GovTech Global Alliance Scale-up Programme has looked for scale-up products and solutions that:

• Adjust corporate behaviour towards electric vehicles, including perception, understanding of environmental and economic benefits, cost incentivization, and adoption of electric vehicles

• Use innovation in batteries and energy storage

• Make use of or support hydrogen power and renewable energy sources

• Promote more economical and efficient ways of travel in both urban and rural areas, thereby reducing the usage of assets and emissions

• Use of data and technology to accelerate the decarbonization and optimal use of commercial and niche vehicles

Sources: UN Environmental Programme, McKinsey & Company, COP26 Goals, Scottish Development International