CO2 - what is the IRU's Response?

While transport accounts for some 30% of man-made CO₂ emissions, the commercial road transport industry is only responsible for some 3% of total CO₂ emitted worldwide.

The road transport industry justly gave priority to reducing toxic emission such as Nitrous Oxide (NO_x), Hydrocarbons (HC), Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Particulate Matter (PM) up to 97%. It is now addressing the remaining emission challenge, non-toxic CO₂.

The road transport industry is the only mode of transport that has committed to achieving the goal of sustainable development and the IRU has made it a constitutional obligation:
"The IRU, in cooperation and with the support or its Members shall promote the economic, social and environmental objectives of sustainable development within the road transport industry by improving productivity, road safety, energy savings and the protection of the environment." (Art.2 of IRU's Constitution)

In addition to this general commitment to strive for sustainable development, the road transport industry has also specifically committed on the basis of innovative technologies and practices, to reduce CO₂ emissions by 30% by 2030 - calculated per transport performance in tkm and pkm and related to the base year 2007.

IRU "30-by-30" Resolution 

IRU’s 3 “i” strategy for achieving sustainable development is the way to reduce CO₂ emissions

Effective “at-source” technical measures & operating practices to reduce environmental impact are the best way to reduce CO₂ emissions of road transport.

The fuel consumption and thus CO₂ emissions of commercial vehicles have been reduced by 36% since 1970.

Eco-driving training helps to further reduce fuel consumption and therefore CO₂ emissions by up to 10% !

The right priority! - Reducing toxic emissions (NO_x) over non-toxic emission (CO₂).

Biofuels are NOT the solution!

Governments need to encourage faster introduction by transport operators of best available technology and practices which help to reduce CO₂ emissions.

Real business incentives for reducing CO₂ emissions!

CO₂ emission taxation: How to make it effective?

Lower CO₂ emissions by rail – ONLY with nuclear energy!

Buses and coaches replace up to 80 cars reducing fuel consumption, congestion and CO₂ emissions!

Adequate investment in new infrastructure to remove bottlenecks and missing links, plus best use of existing infrastructure, are essential to reduce CO₂ emissions from road transport.

Congestion is responsible for 100 billion liters of wasted fuel, or 250 billion tonns of CO₂ in the United States alone!

Traffic congestion increases CO₂ emissions by 300%!

Road transport taxes should go to roads to reduce CO₂ emissions!