Three UN transport organizations unite to decarbonize sectors and fight climate change

Three United Nations (UN) organizations responsible for transport, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), have joined forces to reduce the impact of their respective sectors on climate change. 

Transport has traditionally propelled economic growth and connected nations. Yet, as a formidable contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for nearly a quarter of energy-related emissions worldwide, the transport sector now finds itself at a crossroads.  

According to the latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), inland transport contributes more than 72% of global energy-related CO2 emissions in the transport sector, with 69% stemming from road transport. Aviation is responsible for approximately 2.4% of total anthropogenic emissions of CO2 on an annual basis, whereas estimated total emissions from maritime transport correspond to 2–3%.  

While civil aviation, inland, and maritime transport face distinct challenges and solutions to reduce GHG emissions, they share a common ambition to transition to low- or zero-carbon fuels technologies and infrastructure.

The UN organizations partnered at this year’s UN Climate Change Conference (COP 29) held in Baku to jointly work on strategies to support the decarbonization of each sector. The event at COP29 highlighted the recent progress made by UNECE, ICAO, and IMO in addressing the impact of their transport sectors on climate change, as well as showcased how their member states are contributing to actions necessary to achieve carbon neutrality. 

“Alongside ICAO and IMO, UNECE has a long-standing commitment to advance decarbonization across every mode of transport, as well as to support our Member States in achieving this ambitious goal,” stated UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean.

“This year, UNECE’s Inland Transport Committee adopted its Decarbonization Strategy, setting an ambitious path towards net-zero emissions by 2050. This path will require transformative policy shifts, groundbreaking technological innovations, and the seamless integration of sustainable practices at all levels of governance.” 

To remind, the UNECE’s Strategy on Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Inland Transport sets out the mission of the UNECE Inland Transport Committee (ITC) to assist its member states and contracting parties to 61 UN legal instruments under its purview in achieving the aspirational goal of net-zero GHG emissions from inland transport by 2050. This would be achieved through enhanced regulatory support, intergovernmental policy dialogue, and increased coordination and partnership among all relevant stakeholders.  

Juan Carlos Salazar, Secretary General of ICAO, pointed out that significant progress has been made and that strong political will can be seen worldwide to achieve the net-zero goal by 2050.

Furthermore, he noted that ICAO now faces a great challenge to finance this ambitious transition.

“Achieving net zero carbon emissions requires adequate financial resources. The international aviation sector will require an investment of approximately USD 3.2 trillion between now and 2050 for cleaner energy transition,” Salazar added.

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez recalled that international shipping carries more than 80% of international trade and has already improved its energy efficiency performance by over 20% since the first IMO climate regulations came into force. 

“I wish to highlight just one aspect which I think is key in achieving ambitious strategies in all transport modes – the need for abundant, safe, affordable and environmentally sustainable fuels and energy sources,” Dominguez said.

“Both IMO and ICAO aim at carbon pricing and are also looking to strengthen our interaction with UNECE, particularly on programmes which involve multi-modal transport, including maritime, and the green and digital development of the Middle Corridor trade route.”

The IMO earlier announced that it will lead a delegation to COP 29 to share the latest developments in delivering the net-zero strategy, including those related to ongoing negotiations towards a new set of binding economic and technical ‘mid-term GHG reduction measures’. The 82nd session of IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 82) was held in September/October this year.