Climate Change Law provides for 0 emissions vehicle fleet in 2050

The law on climate change and energy transition, which is expected to go to the Council of Ministers next Tuesday, establishes among other objectives to achieve climate neutrality “no later than 2050” and contemplates actions, in line with the EU, in terms of mobility and promotion of vehicles without direct emissions in 2050.

Thus, the draft, to which EFEverde has had access, indicates, as already contemplated in the first documents, that in terms of emission-free mobility, “measures will be adopted to achieve by 2050 a fleet of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles without direct CO2 emissions”.

In its fourth title, referring to sustainable mobility, and with a view to achieving by 2050 “a fleet of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles without direct CO2 emissions” the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan “will establish by 2030 targets for the penetration of vehicles with zero or low direct CO2 emissions in the national fleet of vehicles according to their different categories”.

To this end, measures are foreseen “in accordance with European Union regulations”, so that “new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, excluding those registered as historic vehicles, not intended for commercial uses, gradually reduce their emissions, so that, no later than the year 2040, they are vehicles with emissions of 0g CO2 / km”.

It is also established that municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants have low-emission zones no later than 2023 and measures to improve public transport and travel by other means such as walking or cycling are promoted.

In addition, any measure that involves a regression of the already existing low emission zones must have the prior report of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge and the competent regional body.

Currently the road transport sector accounts for 25% of greenhouse gas emissions and to meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement on climate change (United Nations) intermediate objectives are set such as reducing emissions of these gases for the spanish economy as a whole by 2030 in at least, 20% compared to 1990 levels.

To do this, by 2030, at least 70% of the generation of the electricity system must come from renewable energies and suppose, in the final energy consumption, around 35%.

The law is committed to just transition and also provides for the creation of a Committee of Experts on Climate Change and Energy Transition that will be responsible for evaluating and making recommendations on energy and climate change policies and measures.

In addition, the Government will approve a Decarbonization Strategy to 2050 that establishes a path to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase removals by sinks of these gases

Regarding fossil fuel exploration, it points out that no new exploration authorizations, hydrocarbon research permits or exploitation concessions will be granted.

It contemplates the promotion of renewable gases, including biogas, biomethane, hydrogen and other biofuels, in addition to promoting objectives of sustainable alternative fuels in air transport.

The draft Law consisting of thirty-six articles distributed in nine Titles, recalls that the European Commission has proposed a European “Climate Law” and establishes a process of transparency and accountability in line with the review cycles of the Paris Agreement.

To meet these targets by 2030, the European Union estimates that it must mobilise additional annual investments of around €180 billion.

Source: The Vanguard