Smarter Travel and Clean Air Benefits

Clean Air Conference

28 September 2015

Sustainable Transport Martin Diskin, Principal Officer

•Smarter Travel Initiative

•Climate and Energy Policy for Transport

•Freight Policy

•All underpinned by Smarter Travel Policy http://www.dttas.ie/public-transport/publications/english/smarter-travel-ptst-future-new-transport-policy-ireland-2009

Smarter Travel

• Policy, published in 2009, provides overarching framework for sustainable transport to 2020 - 49 Actions

• 5 Key Goals

• Reduce overall travel demand

• Maximise efficiency of the transport network

• Reduce reliance on fossil fuels

• Reduce transport emissions

• Improve accessibility to transport

Good progress made but more to do. Review of policy underway.

Transport Pollutants – Overview Emissions from transport represent a significant air quality threat - impacts on Health, Climate and Environment

• NOx are nitrogen monoxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) - Emitted during fuel combustion – Transport sector most significant contributor e.g. mainly from diesel cars.

• Non methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) – Some from road transport

• Carbon monoxide (CO) – Transport is a significant source of CO

• Sulphur dioxide (SO2) - SO2 is mainly emitted through the combustion of fuels containing sulphur – Maritime transport

• Particulate matter (PM) - PM is emitted directly or forms from emissions of SO2, NOx, NH3 and NMVOCs – Transport is a significant source of PMs.

• EEA data indicate a decrease in emissions of most pollutants between 2003 and 2012.

• Of all sectors, the transport sector achieved the highest

reductions in CO (61%), NMVOC (63%) and NOx (34%).

Transport and Climate GHG Emissions Profile

(1st Increase in Transport in 5yrs)

Two Pillar Approach

(ETS and Non-ETS)

Non-ETS 73%

ETS 27%

Agriculture and Transport accounts for 70.5% of Non-ETS

Energy 19.6%

Industry 15.4%

Transport 19.1%

Residential 11.1%

Agriculture 32.3%

Waste 2.5 %

2013

Transport Policy – Influencing Factors Climate Change - Level of Ambition – EU and Ireland

(Compared to 1990 levels – unless otherwise stated)

By 2020/2030 2009 Effort Sharing Decision -

20% GHG emissions reduction for Ireland in non ETS (relative to 2005 levels)

GHG Emissions - carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases

October 2014, European Council endorsed binding EU target of at least 40% reduction in GHG emission by 2030

By 2050 National policy - Aggregate

reduction in CO2 emissions of at least 80% in electricity generation, built environment and transport sectors

In parallel, carbon neutrality in agriculture and land-use sector, including forestry

Focus is on carbon reduction

2011 EU White Paper on Transport - 60% CO2 reduction in this sector by 2050

Ultimate Goal – Decarbonisation

Policy and Legislation

• EU and Ireland – Low carbon strategy

• Smarter Travel Policy – Reducing travel demand, encouraging modal shift, improving efficiency of network

• Legislation related to pollutants from transport sector:

• Euro 5 and Euro 6 Regulation

• Directive on clean and energy-efficient vehicles

• Directive on volatile organic compounds from petrol

• Directive on the sulphur content of certain fuels

• Directive on alternative fuels infrastructure for transport

Measures Impacting on Clean Air

• Key measures are: • Reducing congestion and supporting modal shift - investment in

public transport, walking and cycling

• Vehicle standards and fuel efficiency - motor tax and VRT

• Demand management

• Energy efficiency

• Alternative Fuels including Biofuels

• Existing Taxation/Fiscal Measures – NG Excise Duty/Accelerated Capital Allowances/EV Grant

• Policy Measures – Supporting switch to natural gas and EVs

• Infrastructure – Good network or recharging points for EVs, new CNG refuelling stations under construction

Our Plans – Incorporating new and existing measures

• National Mitigation Plan – Transport Contribution

• Early Stakeholder Engagement 2014, Information Exchange 2015

• Developing measures that will contribute to cost effective carbon emissions reductions in Transport

• Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill

• National Policy Framework on the Development of Alternative Fuels Infrastructure for Transport in Ireland

• Directive 2014/94/EU

• Significant Implications for Air Quality

• Transposition date 18 November 2016

• Initial Consultation - September to November 2015

• SEA and AA

Alternative Fuels Directive and Policy Framework • Establish targets for the build-up and coverage of

alternative fuels infrastructure for transport.

• Purpose – To provide certainty to the market, to facilitate reduction in oil dependency, to reduce emissions

• Alternative Fuel Options - electricity, hydrogen, and natural gas, in the forms of biogas, compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), or gas-to-liquid (GTL), and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)

• Electricity is considered a reasonable choice for private car fleet – zero emissions, renewable electricity

• Natural gas could provide good interim solution for larger vehicles i.e. large buses and HGVs.

• CNG offers natural pathway to renewables such as biomethane

What can DTTAS do to support Clean Air Strategy

• Keep clean air principles at the heart of transport policy

• Continue cross sectoral engagement

• Ensure carbon reduction measures do not have air quality implications

• Remain open to ideas

Your thoughts on…..

• Car fleet – Reduced Carbon Vs Diesalisation

• Alternative fuels – how best to support the ‘best’ fuels?

• Dublin – Congestion charge Vs low emissions zone?

• How far can we tax consumers?

• What do you think would be the most cost effective clean air solutions for transport?

What do you think?

Always open to ideas and questions…..

Contact

Martin Diskin

Sustainable Transport Division

Department of Transport, Tourism

and Sport

Leeson Lane

Dublin 2

martindiskin@dttas.ie or

sustainabletransport@dttas.ie

01-6043411