Road vehicles emitted more than six billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (GtCO₂) in 2023, making up a quarter of global transportation sector CO₂ emissions. Under the IEA's Net Zero Emissions (NZE) by 2050 scenario, emissions from road vehicles would fall to below 1.7 GtCO₂ by 2040. This pathway would require the accelerated deployment of electric vehicles and other low-emissions fuels. Overall, global transportation CO₂ emissions would drop to roughly 600 MtCO₂ by 2050 in the NZE.
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from transportation worldwide from 2010 to 2023, with projections to 2050 under the Net Zero Scenario, by mode
(in million metric tons of carbon dioxide)
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Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from transportation worldwide from 2010 to 2023, with projections to 2050 under the Net Zero Scenario, by mode
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The source provides the following information "The Net Zero Emissions by 2050 (NZE) Scenario depicts a narrow but achievable pathway for the global energy sector to reach net zero energy-related CO₂ emissions by 2050 by deploying a wide portfolio of clean energy technologies and without offsets from land-use measures. It recognizes that achieving net zero energy sector CO₂ emissions by 2050 depends on fair and effective global co-operation, with advanced economies taking the lead and reaching net zero emissions earlier in the NZE Scenario than emerging market and developing economies. This scenario also achieves universal modern energy access by 2030, consistent with the energy-related targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The NZE Scenario is consistent with limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5 °C (with at least a 50% probability) with limited overshoot".
Road transport refers to all road vehicle types (passenger cars, two/three-wheelers, light commercial vehicles, buses and medium and heavy freight trucks).
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IEA. (October 15, 2024). Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from transportation worldwide from 2010 to 2023, with projections to 2050 under the Net Zero Scenario, by mode (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved April 08, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1448490/transportation-co2-emissions-net-zero-scenario/
IEA. "Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from transportation worldwide from 2010 to 2023, with projections to 2050 under the Net Zero Scenario, by mode (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide)." Chart. October 15, 2024. Statista. Accessed April 08, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1448490/transportation-co2-emissions-net-zero-scenario/
IEA. (2024). Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from transportation worldwide from 2010 to 2023, with projections to 2050 under the Net Zero Scenario, by mode (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: April 08, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1448490/transportation-co2-emissions-net-zero-scenario/
IEA. "Carbon Dioxide (Co₂) Emissions from Transportation Worldwide from 2010 to 2023, with Projections to 2050 under The Net Zero Scenario, by Mode (in Million Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide)." Statista, Statista Inc., 15 Oct 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1448490/transportation-co2-emissions-net-zero-scenario/
IEA, Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from transportation worldwide from 2010 to 2023, with projections to 2050 under the Net Zero Scenario, by mode (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1448490/transportation-co2-emissions-net-zero-scenario/ (last visited April 08, 2025)
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from transportation worldwide from 2010 to 2023, with projections to 2050 under the Net Zero Scenario, by mode (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide) [Graph], IEA, October 15, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1448490/transportation-co2-emissions-net-zero-scenario/
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