International Cooperation

Global Context for Promoting Cleaner Fuels and Vehicles Worldwide

Today, transportation demand is growing rapidly in developing countries. This, combined with rising personal vehicle ownership, is causing significant impacts on urban air quality and greenhouse gas emissions. For example, transport is potentially one of the biggest sources of carbon dioxide (CO2) and particulate matter pollution, especially in cities.

Outdoor air pollution in the form of fine particles contrinbutes annually to over 3.2 million premature deaths worldwide and now ranks among the top global health risk burdens. [reference: Lim, et. al., Global Burden of Disease Study 2010, Lancet, Vol 380 December 15/22/29] The World Health Organization (WHO) study, Ambient air pollution: A global assessement of exposure and burden of disease (PDF) (121 pp, 5.41 M, About PDF) Exit, reports that 92% of the world’s population lives in places where the air quality levels exceed WHO limits.

The chart shows predicted increase in energy consumption by transport over time. The contributions of OECD countries remain steady, while the primary increase comes from the Non-OECD countries. For further details and full chapter, visit link in caption.

Figure: Shows the increase in energy consumption by transport in non-OECD countries over time. Source: EIA International Energy Outlook 2016, Chapter 8.

Globally, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicts in its International Energy Outlook 2016 (PDF) (290 pp, 6.3 M, About PDF) that petroleum fuels will remain the dominant source of energy to 2040. The EIA report predicts that the transport sector will grow in developing countries (defined here as countries that are not a part of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development [OECD]), as the chart (right) displays.

Energy consumption by transportation in non-OECD countries is forecast to grow, while energy consumption in OECD countries is predicted to remain stable. In fact, 94% of the overall projected growth in transportation sector energy consumption will occur in developing countries. Light duty vehicles are anticipated to be the fastest growing component in the sector.

To address these issues, the Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles (PCFV) promotes cleaner fuels and vehicles in developing and transition countries. Specifically, PCFV works toward the global elimination of lead in gasoline and the phase down of sulfur in diesel fuel to 50 parts per million (ppm), and promotes the introduction of cleaner, more efficient vehicles.

EPA is a founding and supporting member of PCFV, a public-private global initiative originally founded at the World Summit for Sustainable Development (WSSD) Exit in 2003.

Contacts

For additional information on EPA's work with the Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles, contact:

Angela Bandemehr

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Office of International and Tribal Affairs (2670R)

1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW

Washington, DC 20460

E-mail: bandemehr.angela@epa.gov

(202) 564-1427