Global Pathways to Net-Zero: Behavioral, Social, and Technological Research and Innovation Strategies for Transportation Decarbonization; Summary of the Seventh EU-U.S. Transportation Research Symposium: Proceedings of a Symposium (2024)
Chapter: Day 2: Relevant U.S. Policies, Programming, and Collaboration
Day 2:
Relevant U.S. Policies, Programming, and Collaboration
Gretchen Goldman, U.S. Department of Transportation
Torsten Klimke, European Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport
Jane Amilhat, European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation
RELEVANT U.S. POLICIES, PROGRAMMING, AND COLLABORATION
Gretchen Goldman
Gretchen Goldman provided an overview of federal policies and programs focusing on the decarbonization of different aspects of the transportation system. She noted that decarbonizing the transportation sector requires addressing all modes and ensuring extensive coordination, among all levels of government, as well as the private sector. She described activities related to goal setting and planning, technology deployment, regulation, research, and innovations.
Goldman highlighted the unprecedented climate, clean energy, and equity investments that have been made as a result of recent federal legislation. The Inflation Reduction Act provides the largest investment in climate-relative initiatives in history. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) represents a once-in-a-generation investment in the nation’s infrastructure. The CHIPS and Science Act includes historic investments in U.S. manufacturing. Goldman suggested that these laws provide numerous opportunities to address critical issues related to decarbonizing the transportation sector.
As other speakers discussed, Goldman noted that transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the United States She noted the U.S. commitment to net-zero GHG emissions by 2050 and a 50% to 52% reduction from 2005 levels in economy-wide net GHG by 2030. Goldman discussed the challenges of meeting these goals due to the complexity of the transportation system and the multitude of stakeholders and decision-makers with distributed and siloed responsibilities. She asserted that decisive actions are needed now to address the numerous transportation system elements that will require decades of transition.
Goldman described the U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization, which was developed jointly by the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT), the U.S. Department of Energy (U.S. DOE), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The goal of the Blueprint is complete decarbonization of the transportation sector. The blueprint provides a comprehensive,
system-level perspective of the transportation system across all passenger and freight modes and fuels. The document presents realistic and achievable pathways to decarbonize for every mode based on innovation and science. Goldman reported that while the blueprint focuses primarily on the use of transportation modes, it also mentions the importance of life-cycle emissions. The document includes both immediate actions to deliver meaningful results by 2030 and long-term planning activities.
Goldman highlighted that the main blueprint implementation strategies focus on transportation being convenient, efficient, and clean. The convenience strategies prioritize land use decisions and community design solutions promoting access. The efficiency strategies expand options to enable shifts to more efficient vehicles and modes. The deployments of zero-emission vehicles, fuels, and associated infrastructure represent clean strategies.
Examples of funding and technical assistance programs cited by Goldman addressing the convenience strategy included transit-oriented development programs supporting local land use planning and providing credit assistance for projects integrating local housing and transportation needs. The BIL’s new Safe Streets and Roads for All discretionary program focuses on safety improvements for people walking, biking, rolling, and using other active transportation options. This new program builds on the existing Safe Routes to School program and the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside program, as well as other formula and discretionary programs. The Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program provides funding for areas previously cut off from economic opportunities by the transportation infrastructure. She noted that the program aims to correct for historic discrimination in land use planning and connects communities to walking, bicycling, and transit opportunities. The Carbon Reduction Program provides $6.4 billion in funding for projects to reduce transportation emissions and support state carbon reduction strategies.
Goldman described the BIL programs focusing on increasing people movement and vehicle efficiency. The BIL provides up to $108 billion for public transit and $2.25 billion to improve the efficiency, safety, and reliability of goods movement around ports. Vehicle efficiency efforts include implementing the new passenger fuel economy standards, applying aviation air frame and engine technologies that reduce fuel burn and emissions, and reducing pipeline leaks to mitigate methane emissions and improve safety. Goldman reviewed the new Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards that were released on June 7, 2024. The new standards are 50.4 miles per gallon (mpg) in model year 2031 for passenger cars and light trucks, and 2.851 gallons/100 miles in model year 2035 for heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans. The new standards are projected to avoid 710 million metric tons of carbon dioxide by 2025.
Goldman described some of the federal programs available for technology deployment for zero-emission vehicles. The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program provides $5 billion to deploy light-, medium-, and heavy-duty EV charging infrastructure along the designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs) in the country. The Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program includes $2.5 billion to deploy EV charging and hydrogen, propane, or natural gas fueling infrastructure along AFCs and in other publicly accessible locations. Examples of potential community charging locations include public roads, schools, parks, and publicly accessible parking facilities. The Low or No Emission Grant Program and the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Program provides $1.9 billion this year for the purchase or lease of no- and low-emission transit buses, as well as construction and leasing of supporting facilities.
Goldman noted that the transition to zero-emission vehicles and fuel to achieve net-zero emissions will require a suite of technology solutions across all transportation modes. In terms of fuels, she noted that battery electric provides the greatest long-term opportunity for light-duty vehicles, while hydrogen may provide the greatest long-term opportunity for long-haul trucks. Sustainable liquid fuels seem to have the greatest long-term opportunity for the maritime and aviation sectors.
Goldman reviewed President Biden’s Executive Order 14008 and the Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver 40% or more of the benefits from climate and clean energy investments to disadvantaged communities. The Justice40 Scorecard provides public tracking by federal agencies and the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool identifies disadvantaged communities for Justice40 programs. In addition, Goldman noted that Executive Order 14096, Revitalizing Our Nation’s Commitment to Environmental Justice for All, affirms and strengthens U.S. environmental justice commitments and bolsters the role of federal science, data, and research to inform environmental justice decision making across the government.
Goldman also reviewed the National Transportation Decarbonization Goals contained in the report The Long-Term Strategy of the United States: Pathways to Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2050. The report states
Federally supported research, development, demonstration, and deployment can be the prime mover to carry new carbon-free technologies and processes from the lab to U.S. factories to the market. Research and development today will lay the technology foundation necessary to maximize economic benefits from the post-2030 transition to net-zero.
Goldman described elements of the U.S. DOT Research, Development, and Technology Strategic Plan. Climate and sustainability represent one research priority. Identified research areas include decarbonization, sustainability, and resilient infrastructure. The grand challenge for this priority is to “create a transportation system that supports an economy with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.” Goldman reported that equity represented another research priority. Research areas focus on equity and accessibility assessments, mobility innovation, and wealth creation. The grand challenge is to “create an equitable transportation system that provides safe, affordable, accessible, and convenient mobility options for all users.”
Goldman noted that she heads the Climate Change Research and Technology Program within U.S. DOT. The program includes embodied carbon and concrete research, climate change and transportation research, and mobility equity research initiatives. There is also an emphasis on research and tool development, including implementation of the U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization. Moreover, there is a focus on investments in innovative research and technology for multimodal decarbonization strategies and deployment of decision-support tools for resilience investments. Furthermore, the program is leading the Resilience Coalition with the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials, industry, and government leaders to quantify and address resilience challenges. Goldman also co-chairs the U.S. DOT Climate Change Center which provides support for evidence-based policy decisions across U.S. DOT.
Goldman highlighted the U.S. DOE Vehicle Technologies Office. U.S. DOE has a large research and technology program focusing on on-road, off-road, air, marine, and rail elements. On-road program elements address batteries, electrification, material technology, and mobility systems. Off-road elements include electrification, hydrogen and fuel cells, advanced powertrains, and net-zero carbon fuels. Other program elements focus on technology integration and the Clean Cities and Communities partnerships.
Goldman discussed previous and potential U.S.-EU research collaboration methods and approaches. She suggested that there is a need for innovative collaboration platforms to provide the necessary engagement opportunities for the international research community. Examples of previous approaches include information exchanges and joint events, project-to-project collaboration focused on the European Commission–U.S. DOT Transportation Research Project Twinning Initiative, and program-to-program collaborations. Examples of program-to-program collaborations include the ERA-NET Infravation Program, the Federal Highway Administration Transportation Pooled Fund Program—International Partnership, and the International Transport Forum Joint Research Centre.
In closing, Goldman suggested that there is a great opportunity to build on and expand on previous efforts, as well as undertake new innovative approaches to collaboration. She noted that the recent federal investments toward transportation decarbonization and the potential for new applications of research and technology to meet the climate goals for the transportation sector could be enhanced by U.S.-EU collaboration.
RELEVANT EU POLICIES, PROGRAMMING, AND COLLABORATION: REGULATION AND TECHNOLOGY DEPLOYMENT
Torsten Klimke
Torsten Klimke discussed Horizon Europe, the EU institutional structure, and EU transport policy in the President von der Leyen Commission. He also described the key strategies in the European Green Deal, the Fit for 55 package, and REPowerEU.
Elements in Horizon Europe address the environment and climate, energy policy and taxation, consumer health, and the safety of citizens. Other elements are the internal market and competition policy, social policy, and cohesion and regional policy. Still other elements focus on industrial, space, and digital policies as well as trade, borders and security, innovation, and research. Klimke described the EU organizational structure, including the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council of the European Union. The European Commission is the European Union’s executive arm, while the Council is made up of the leaders of each EU country. The Parliament is elected by EU citizens. Klimke noted that he is in the Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport. There are also directorate-generals for research and innovation, energy, climate action, growth, competition, and other areas. The European Commission is the institution that proposes legislation.
Klimke reviewed the EU transport policy in the President von der Leyden Commission as outlined in the Political Guidelines for the European Commission 2019–2024. He described elements of the European Green Deal and the European Climate Law, which enshrined the 2050 climate neutrality into law. It set the EU target for a 55% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030. It also extended the Emissions Trading System to the maritime and aviation sectors, reduced free allowances to airlines over time, and extended the system further to cover road transport and construction.
Klimke reviewed some of the binding requirements established by the European Climate Law, which is EU-wide, with all Member States having to contribute to a spirit of fairness and solidarity. It is also economy-wide with all sectors of the economy playing a part. Reductions in emissions will be based on changes made in the European Union and not on international offsetting. Calculations of the reductions are based on the emissions of GHGs into the atmosphere minus those removed.
Klimke reviewed the European Green Deal key strategies. The strategies include the 2030 climate target plan and law, increasing to at least a 55% net GHG emission reduction by 2030. The new transport strategy focuses on sustainable and smart mobility that leaves no one behind. It targets 90% emission reduction by 2050 through a comprehensive approach across all transport modes. Energy system integration strategies, sustainable value chains for batteries and other elements, and a circular economy are part of the new industrial strategy. Another strategy focuses on sustainable Europe investment, a just transition, and recovery finance.
Klimke noted that the 90% emission reduction by 2050 requires an irreversible shift in the power base of the transport sector while improving the functioning of the entire transport system. Elements to accomplish this goal include accelerating zero-emission powertrains and renewable and low-carbon fuels in all modes. Seamless, multimodal transport based on digital solutions will also be needed, along with connected, cooperative, and automated mobility services. Increased investments will be needed to establish future-proof infrastructure and support sectoral transition in a fair and just manner.
Klimke reviewed the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy of December 2020. He noted that some elements have aspirational targets. Some of the key milestones with a 2030 target are a minimum of 30 million zero-emission cars and 80,000 zero-emission lorries in operation. A minimum of 100 climate-neutral cities is also a target. Other targets are doubling high-speed passenger rail traffic and increasing rail freight traffic by 50%. An increase of 25% in inland waterways and short sea shipping represents another target. Still other targets focus on paperless freight transport and automated mobility deployed at large scale, as well as integrated electronic ticketing. An additional target is that the core multimodal trans-European transportation network equipped for sustainable and smart transport with high-speed connectivity will be operational. A final target is that zero-emission oceangoing vessels will be ready for market.
The target for 2035 is having large zero-emission aircraft ready for market. Targets by 2050 include nearly all cars, vans, and buses as well as new heavy-duty vehicles being zero emission. Other targets focus on doubling rail freight traffic and tripling high-speed passenger rail traffic. The target for transport by inland waterways and short sea shipping increases 50% by 2050. The fatality rate for all modes of transport in the European Union will be close to zero. The comprehensive multimodal trans-European transport network equipped for sustainable and smart transport with high-speed connectivity will be operational.
Klimke noted that there are nine major transportation corridors in the European Union that took 2 years to analyze and designate. The corridors cross Europe both north to south and east to west and encompass 432 urban areas. He noted that by 2027 the areas must identify safety, sustainability, and accessibility activities.
Klimke discussed the July 2021 Fit for 55 package transport-related items, which include revision of the EU emissions trading system. The Fit for 55 package also includes revisions to the energy tax directive and an amendment to the renewable energy directive to implement the vision of the new 2030 climate target. Furthermore, the package includes revision to the directive on deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure and revision of the regulation setting to CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and for new light commercial vehicles.
Klimke noted that the May 2022 REPowerEU focuses on ending the dependence on fossil fuel imports from Russia well before 2030 through energy savings, diversification of energy supplies, and accelerating rollouts of renewable energy. The Fit for 55 package also includes scaling up and speeding up renewable energy including increasing the headline target for renewables from 40% to 45% by 2030. It also includes producing 10 million tons of domestic renewable hard hydrogen and 10 million tons of imports by 2030 and increasing the production of biomethane by 2030.
Klimke described the funding for the European Green Deal. A total of 30% of all EU funding can be used for climate measures, along with 37% of the recovery and resiliency facility, which was established to help with the recovery from COVID-19, to projects that fight climate change, including a large share for sustainable mobility. The just transition strategy is funded at €7.5 billion, and the social climate strategy is funded at €72.2 billion.
RELEVANT EU POLICIES, PROGRAMMING, AND COLLABORATION: RESEARCH AND PLANNING
Jane Amilhat
Jane Amilhat discussed Horizon Europe, the European Union’s Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. Horizon Europe is made up of three pillars: excellent science, global challenges and European industrial competitiveness, and innovative Europe. Her comments focused on Pillar II, which addresses climate, energy, and mobility. She also highlighted the EU partnerships and mission activities with the private sector and other groups, and the research and innovation cooperative frameworks between the European Union and the United States.
According to Amilhat, with €95.5 billion for 2021–2027, Horizon Europe is the largest research and innovation program in the world. She noted that it addresses climate change and helps achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It also promotes the European Union’s competitiveness and growth. Furthermore, Horizon Europe facilitates collaboration and strengthens the impact of research and innovation in developing, supporting, and implementing new policies, while considering global challenges. Horizon Europe supports creating and dispersing knowledge and technologies.
Amilhat noted that Horizon Europe is open to researchers and innovators from throughout the world, including the United States. The rational for international cooperation is to share experiences, knowledge, and data collected in research projects and large-scale demonstrations and pilots. She commented that international participation helps identify common research areas and fields of cooperation to exploit synergies. In the longer term, international cooperation can lead to harmonized approaches in testing, methodologies, and standards.
Pillar II of Horizon Europe is made up of 6 Clusters: Health; Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society; Civil Security for Society; Digital, Industry and Space; Climate, Energy and Mobility; and Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment. Cluster 5, Climate, Energy and Mobility, addresses climate change by better understanding its causes, evolution, risks, impacts, and opportunities. It also focuses on making the energy and transportation sectors more climate and environmentally friendly, efficient, and competitive, as well as smarter, safer, and more resilient. Areas of research include climate science and solutions, energy supply, energy systems and grids, buildings and industrial facilities in the energy transition, and energy storage. Additional areas within this cluster focus on communities and cities, industrial competitiveness and transportation, and clean, safe, accessible, and smart transportation and mobility. Amilhat reported that the total 2021–2027 budget for Cluster 5 was €15.1 billion.
According to Amilhat, the European partnerships and missions represent a new generation of objective-driven and more ambitious partnerships in support of EU policy objectives and strategic research agendas. Examples related to clean transport include zero-emission waterborne transport, toward zero-emission road transport, Clean
Aviation, and Eurail, which is transforming Europe’s rail system. Other related examples included Clean Hydrogen; toward a competitive European industrial battery value chain; Connected, Cooperative, and Automated Mobility; and Integrated Air Traffic Management. Finally, there is a Cities Mission, focusing on 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030.
Amilhat noted that the EU-U.S. symposium focuses on enhancing cooperation that can be conducted at both the program-to-program level and the project-to-project level. She highlighted several existing multilateral and bilateral cooperation programs related to decarbonization that could be used to further the activities from the symposium. The International Energy Agency cooperation in the research, development, and deployment of Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Technology Collaboration Program provides one example. The Zero-Emission Shipping Mission, a part of the global initiative Mission Innovation, which was launched at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference, represented a second example. The cooperation between the European Commission and the Federal Aviation Administration on research and innovation for sustainable aviation fuels provided a third example.
