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JAMA reports on Japanese experience of ‘integrated approach’ to CO2 reduction
27th December 2007
On 27 November, the Forum for the Automobile and Society co-chaired by British Tory MEP Malcolm Harbour hosted a conference in Brussels on the potential contribution of an ‘integrated approach’ to the reduction of car-emitted CO2, where Hiroki Ota, Director General of JAMA Europe, highlighted Japan’s experience with the integrated approach so far.
Mr Ota began by explaining that the Japanese government is seeking by 2010 a transport-sector CO2 reduction of 24.5 million tonnes compared to the 2002 level. The efforts of Japanese car manufacturers are expected to cut a further 21 million tonnes of CO2. To meet the government target, Ota said, Japan has undertaken action in four distinct areas:
1. The first area includes measures to promote eco-driving through the wider use of clean-energy vehicles and the introduction of biofuels, as well as the adoption of fuel-conserving eco-driving practices by vehicle users. These combined measures are expected to cut CO2 emissions by 8.2 million tonnes.
2. A second area concerns measures to mitigate congestion and promote smoother traffic flow through road infrastructure improvements. Such measures should reduce CO2 by 5.1 million tonnes.
3. Third are measures to improve goods distribution efficiency through modal shifts to railway and maritime transport, and through greater efficiency in logistics (for example: through freight pooling and the use of larger trucks). The result should be a cut of 8.4 million tonnes of CO2.
4. The fourth area involves promoting an even greater use of public transport through the construction of new commuter lines and the enhanced management of traffic demand and transport networks—including bus routes—through the application of advanced information and communications technologies. These measures should reduce CO2 by a further 2.8 million tonnes.
Mr Ota’s presentation was followed by additional remarks on the integrated approach from a number of stakeholders, including:
- Fazilet Cinaralp, Secretary General of the European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA), who highlighted the role of tyres and fuel savings. Ms Cinaralp stressed the significance of tyre rolling resistance, tyre pressure (under-inflation), misalignment, and driving style (braking). ETRMA has, she said, insisted on the need to establish and enforce international standards for tyres to contribute to greater road safety and environmental protection.
- Stephen Perkins, Head of the Joint Transport Research Centre of the OECD and International Transport Forum, outlined the main areas where governments need to invest: dissemination of information on eco-driving (to be built, he said, as a brand), driver training, and incentives, including fiscal incentives for in-car instruments.
Martin Callanan, the British MEP concluded the conference by noting that drivers/consumers had been at the centre of all of the presentations made at the Forum. He suggested that much remained to be done to educate the general public on CO2 reductions. Mr Callanan pointed out that Japan held an advantage compared to the EU since it was only applying its integrated transport policy to one country, rather than across 27 Member States.
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