Transport Emissions Continue to Rise Despite Efforts in Other Sectors
In contrast to many other industries, emissions from the transportation sector have shown a persistent upward trend. Data indicates that from 1990 to 2023, transport emissions saw a substantial increase of 25.3%, with an additional 0.7% rise between 2023 and 2024.
Currently, transportation is responsible for nearly 30% of the European Union’s total CO₂ emissions. Within this sector, road transport is a major contributor, accounting for around 72% of the emissions.
The increased demand for transportation services has overshadowed improvements in energy efficiency and the use of alternative energy sources. Renewable fuels such as renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) are gaining traction in road and air transport, providing viable options for reducing dependency on fossil fuels.
Electrification is also advancing rapidly. When powered by renewable energy, electric vehicles are pivotal in curbing fossil fuel reliance. In 2025, battery-electric vehicles comprised 17.4% of new passenger car registrations, and electric heavy trucks made up 3.6% of registrations.
Europe’s Strategy for a Diverse Energy Transition
The transport sector’s vast scope necessitates a wide range of solutions to achieve significant emission reductions. Each transportation mode has unique operational needs, which should be addressed in EU policies, including future renewable energy frameworks.
Beyond electrification and renewable liquid fuels, green hydrogen shows promise, especially for sectors where electrification is challenging. However, producing green hydrogen demands large amounts of renewable electricity and new infrastructure.
Renewable gases like biomethane can reduce fossil fuel dependency in gas-powered vehicles and existing infrastructure, while e-fuels may offer additional options for hard-to-electrify sectors. These technologies are still developing and require time to achieve scalability.
Renewable Liquid Fuels: A Ready Solution
Renewable liquid fuels are crucial for Europe’s transition away from fossil fuels. Renewable diesel is compatible with existing diesel vehicles, requiring no engine modifications or special distribution systems, allowing for swift adoption.
This makes it particularly suitable for long-distance and heavy-duty transport, especially in areas lacking EV charging or hydrogen infrastructure. By 2030, internal combustion engine vehicles are expected to constitute approximately 80–85% of the passenger car fleet, with a significant portion of vehicle kilometers still powered by these engines even by 2040.
In aviation, SAF remains the primary solution for reducing emissions on a large scale, as it can be utilized in current aircraft and infrastructure.
Unified Approach for Future Sustainability
Europe boasts a leading renewable fuels industry and advanced electromobility technology providers, thanks to substantial investments supported by stable EU policies. These elements are essential for meeting the EU’s 2040 target of a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
The EU Clean Industrial Deal emphasizes the importance of simultaneous progress in climate goals and industrial competitiveness. This balanced approach should guide future policy, including reviews of CO₂ emission standards.
A diverse ecosystem of clean technologies and renewable fuels is vital not only for emission reduction but also for energy security. Each technology has distinct supply chains and industrial capabilities, collectively enhancing Europe’s resilience against supply disruptions and reducing fossil fuel dependence.
Implementing all available solutions is necessary to ensure ongoing reductions in greenhouse gas emissions while bolstering Europe’s energy resilience and autonomy.
* To meet ReFuelEU Aviation criteria, SAF produced from renewable raw materials must achieve at least a 65% GHG emission savings over its lifecycle compared to 100% fossil jet fuel.
Original Story at www.neste.com