Today the Prime Minister will urge our international partners and allies at the COP26 Summit to come together and bridge remaining gaps in climate change negotiations to keep 1.5 alive and protect our planet for future generations.
COP26 is the world’s last, best chance to reach agreement on the action needed to avert catastrophic climate change, finalise the Paris Agreement and support those already experiencing the effects of global warming.
That is why we are urging negotiators from 197 parties to reach agreement on a range of climate change policies, including turning the ambitious promises already made on coal, cars, cash, and trees into real action – pulling out all the stops to keep 1.5 alive.
Tackling climate change is bigger than one nation alone with the most vulnerable nations already experiencing adverse effects – by turning promises into action we can come together for our planet and our people.
Progress is accelerating on Transport Day at COP26 as we continue to deliver on our pledges on coal, cars, cash, and trees to keep 1.5 alive and protect the planet for future generations.
Road transport accounts for 17 per cent of our global emissions – an emission rate that is rising faster than any other sector, therefore decarbonising transport plays a huge part in helping us reach net zero.
That is why, today COP will focus on the need to move to zero emission vehicles – building on the UK’s world leading commitment to decarbonise our transport sector. We welcome progress and commitments made by our international partners, including:
- Twenty four countries, six major vehicle manufacturers, thirty nine cities, states and regions, twenty eight fleets and thirteen investors all jointly set out their determination for all new car and van sales to be zero emission by 2040 globally and 2035 in leading markets – covering 31 per cent of the global passenger vehicle market – with a further 7 countries pledging as Emerging Markets and Developing Economies, to work intensely towards accelerated proliferation and adoption of zero-emission vehicles.
- Launching the International Aviation Climate Ambition Coalition, a new group of climate ambitious states, supporting increased action to reduce aviation emissions by 2050.
- Launching the Clydebank Declaration, an ambitious global initiative encouraging and providing a framework for governments to establish decarbonised shipping routes between two ports.
- A rise of over 3 million in zero emission vehicles sales since 2019 – from 2.1 million to 5.3 million vehicles sold – and new forecasting that estimates low-emission vehicles will amount to 70 per cent of new car sales in 2040.
Building on one of the new Glasgow Breakthroughs, launched by the Prime Minister, examples of this international commitment to decarbonising the transport sector is key, creating new opportunities for clean growth, green jobs and improved air quality right across the globe.
Today we went one step further and confirmed the UK will become the first country in the world to commit to phasing out non-zero emissions HGVs, driving our transport system towards net zero and sparking our green industrial revolution.
We are committed to supporting the UK’s electric vehicle revolution and delivering on our world leading pledge to end the sale of all polluting road vehicles within the next two decades.
That is why, combined with our 2030 pledge to phase out petrol and diesel cars and vans, we are now going further and committing to the phasing out of on-zero emission heavy goods vehicles by 2040 – joined by twenty-four other countries that have too committed to accelerate the adoption of zero emission vehicles in their markets.
We are continuing our commitment to the UK’s electric vehicle revolution – increasing the accessibility and inclusivity of electric vehicles and delivering on coal, cars, cash and trees.
Unveiling our new chargepoint design in the UK for zero-emission vehicles – building on our vision for the UK to have one of the best EV infrastructure networks in the world.
Supporting a reliable, affordable and accessible network of charging infrastructure is vital for our transition to zero-emission vehicles and path to net zero.
That is why we have launched our brand new chargepoint design, in the UK – the most convenient, affordable, and reliable charging network in the world, which could become as iconic as the Great British post box.
We know that transport plays a key role saving the planet and keeping 1.5 alive which is why increasing accessibility, reliability and convenience of chargepoints will encourage more people to switch to zero- emission vehicles.