Governments of 33 countries, including Turkey, the UK and Sweden, along with businesses and other organizations with an influence over the future of the automotive industry and road transport, agreed to accelerate the transition to zero emission vehicles to achieve the climate goals of the Paris Agreement.

The decision made at the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change aims to work towards all sales of new cars and vans being zero emission globally by 2040, and by no later than 2035 in leading markets.

“Cities, states, and regional governments will work towards converting our owned or leased car and van fleets to zero emission vehicles by 2035 at the latest, as well as putting in place policies that will enable, accelerate, or otherwise incentivize the transition to zero emission vehicles as soon as possible, to the extent possible given our jurisdictional powers,” the agreement read.

Governments in emerging markets and developing economies will also work intensely towards accelerated proliferation and adoption of zero emission vehicles.

Automotive manufacturers will work towards reaching 100% zero emission new car and van sales in leading markets by 2035 or earlier, supported by a business strategy that is in line with achieving this ambition.

New opportunities for clean growth, green jobs and public health benefits from improving air quality are some of the main benefits from this decision with the added advantage that this transition could boost energy security and help balance electricity grids as these countries make the transition to clean power.

By Gulsen Cagatay and Nuran Erkul Kaya in Glasgow, Scotland

Anadolu Agency

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