Suchergebnisse

Climate change in California could have a large impact on the state's economy, natural and managed ecosystems, and human health and mortality. In an effort to mitigate such consequences, Governor Schwarzenegger signed Executive Order S-3-05 in 2005, and the state passed landmark legislation, the Global Warming Solutions Act (AB32), in 2006. The Executive Order calls for an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions relative to 1990 levels by 2050. The 80% reduction goal is not based on known mitigation options, but rather on emissions rates that are thought to be needed to stabilize atmospheric concentrations of GHGs before catastrophic climate changes occur. As a result, strategies for meeting this ambitious target have not been clearly defined, and the technology and policy options are not well understood. This report explores how the 80% reduction goal (80in50) may be met in the transportation sector, the largest contributor to GHG emissions in California.

Burgeoning demands for mobility and private vehicle ownership undermine global efforts to reduce energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. Advanced vehicles powered by low-carbon sources of electricity or hydrogen offer an alternative to conventional fossil-fuelled technologies. Yet, despite ambitious pledges and investments by governments and automakers, it is by no means clear that these vehicles will ultimately reach mass-market consumers. Here, we develop state-of-the-art representations of consumer preferences in multiple global energy-economy models, specifically focusing on the non-financial preferences of individuals. We employ these enhanced model formulations to analyse the potential for a low-carbon vehicle revolution up to 2050. Our analysis shows that a diverse set of measures targeting vehicle buyers is necessary to drive widespread adoption of clean technologies. Carbon pricing alone is insufficient to bring low-carbon vehicles to the mass market, though it may have a supporting role in ensuring a decarbonized energy supply.