Interview: Rana Adib
Executive Director at REN21
Promoting Renewable Energy in Transportation Requires Integrated Approach
August 22, 2024. By Abha Rustagi
Que: Based on the 2024 Global Status Report, transportation lags far behind in other infrastructure use. What do you see as the main reason for this delay, and how can these barriers be overcome?
Ans: The decarbonisation of transport lags behind due to a range of challenges, including fossil fuel subsidies, which create a cost disadvantage for renewable fuels. The other challenges include difficulties in updating outdated infrastructure and technologies and the risk of stranded assets across value chains. Moreover, advancing sustainable transport solutions requires context-specific strategies and strong collaboration among policymakers at all levels, which is currently lacking.
But various opportunities exist. For instance, electrification offers economic opportunities, such as those arising from local manufacturing and local supply chains. Decarbonising transport and reducing overall energy demand in the sector can further deliver benefits like enhanced energy security, improved air quality, better health outcomes, increased safety, and greater access to mobility. As fossil fuel prices fluctuate and the costs of electric alternatives continue to decline, consumers will more likely make the shift to electric vehicles.
Que: What are the most effective policies that countries can implement to promote renewable energy in transportation?
Ans: Promoting renewable energy in transport requires an integrated approach that drives holistic policies and planning rather than relying on a single measure. Aligning energy and transport policies is key. Decisions and policies must further be tailored to national and local contexts, taking into account the availability of resources and the unique economic conditions of each country.
Que: In developing countries like India, where most of the electricity comes from coal, what steps can be taken to ensure that the electrification of transport contributes to the reduction in carbon emissions?
Ans: To support successful electrification efforts, it is essential to establish coordination among energy, transport and climate actors at all levels of government and tailor decisions to regional, national and local contexts. The decision-making and planning processes must tackle fuel choices and the steps needed to replace coal with renewables. Otherwise, emission reductions will not be achieved. Collaboration between industry, finance, government and civil society is also critical. Increasing investment in renewable energy and phasing out fossil fuels are inevitable if we are to reduce overall carbon emissions.
Que: Biofuels remain an important part of renewable energy in transportation, especially in places like Latin America. What role do you see biofuels playing in the global energy transition?
Ans: Biofuels are crucial for advancing the transition to renewable energy, but this must be accompanied by ensuring that their production is sustainable. One of the ways to ensure effective greenhouse gas emissions from biofuel production without negatively impacting food security or causing deforestation is establishing a global sustainability standard for bioenergy.
Que: How important is international cooperation in achieving the energy transition in the transport sector? In what ways can countries cooperate to accelerate this process?
Ans: International cooperation is essential for maintaining competitiveness, setting global standards, securing financing and ensuring a just and equitable transition to a renewables-based transport system. It also plays a key role in enforcing justice standards across complex global supply chains and enhancing supply chain resilience. Without meaningful cooperation, there is a higher risk of creating parallel infrastructure and stranded assets. In global sectors like shipping and aviation, international collaboration is particularly important due to the sector's international scope.
Que: Looking ahead, what are your predictions for the future of renewable energy in transportation? What major trends do you hope to see in the next decade?
Ans: Looking ahead, we hope to see more cooperation across all sectors and levels of government, jointly advancing a just and equitable transition to a renewables-based economic system. We further hope for a significant reduction in overall energy demand, along with a higher share of renewable energy in the transport sector. Lastly, we need more well-informed discussions and decision-making regarding the ‘right’ fuel mix. REN21’s Global Futures Report: Renewables for Sustainable Transport offers important tools to guide these discussions and decisions.
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