[Graeme]

IEA report finds “avoid, shift and improve” policies for urban transport could deliver up to $70T in savings through 2050

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'P')olicies that improve the energy efficiency of urban transport systems could help save as much as US$70 trillion in spending on vehicles, fuel and transportation infrastructure between now and 2050, according to a recently released report from the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Among the three broad categories of policies recommended in the report and policy guide, “A Tale of Renewed Cities”, are those that allow travel to be avoided; those that shift travel to more efficient modes; and those that improve the efficiency of vehicle and fuel technologies. The report notes that if fully implemented across the transportation sector, this “avoid, shift and improve” approach could deliver the up to US$70 trillion in savings.

“Avoid” policies address transport energy use and emissions by slowing travel growth via city planning and travel demand management. “Avoid” policies also include initiatives such as virtual mobility programs (e.g. tele-working) and implementation of logistics technology.

Shift” policies enable and encourage movements from motorized travel to more energy efficient modes, such as public transit, walking, cycling and freight rail. For example, increases in affordable, frequent and seamless public transport can alleviate local congestion while improving access and travel time to destinations and reducing household expenses on travel.

“Improve” policies can reduce energy consumption and emissions of all travel modes through the introduction of efficient fuels and vehicles. “Improve” policies include tightened fuel-economy standards and increased advanced-vehicle technology sales (e.g. clean diesel trucks and hybrid and plug-in electric cars).

[ralfy]

The problem is that in global capitalist systems savings are re-capitalized, which means they will be spent elsewhere, leading to more resource and energy consumption.

[Graeme]

The savings could be used to pay off debt or invest in renewables to name two.

[dorlomin]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ralfy', 'T')he problem is that in global capitalist systems savings are re-capitalized, which means they will be spent elsewhere, leading to more resource and energy consumption.

[John_A]

Sure sounds like economics expressed with different words to me.

[Plantagenet]

The EU already has a wonderfully efficient mass transit system and the USA does not. However, the wonderfully developed mass transit in the EU hasn't helped the EU at all---both the USA and EU are seeing increasing poverty and joblessness that results in less travel, lower car use, and lower energy consumption.

This shows that the way all developed economies naturally tend to respond to higher energy costs is through economic slowdowns and increases in poverty---thereby forcing decreases in the demand for fuel.

[John_A]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Plantagenet', 'T')he EU already has a wonderfully efficient mass transit system and the USA does not. However, the wonderfully developed mass transit in the EU hasn't helped the EU at all---both the USA and EU are seeing increasing poverty and joblessness that results in less travel, lower car use, and lower energy consumption.

This shows that the way all developed economies naturally tend to respond to higher energy costs is through economic slowdowns and increases in poverty---thereby forcing decreases in the demand for fuel.

[ROCKMAN]

Did I miss the link to the actual report? Wanted to see what the cost and time line projections for the theoretical policy changes. Without that the discussion is nothing more than a wish list of positive çhanges with no indication of neither the caper required (and it's source) and the time required to make such transitions. The will be zero savings initially as well as capex drain. No savings in the system until significant improvements are made...after someone pays up front.

These may be very good plans...if someone pays for them. Unfortunately can't pay for any of it with savings until they materialize.

[dorlomin]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Plantagenet', 'T')he EU already has a wonderfully efficient mass transit system and the USA does not. However, the wonderfully developed mass transit in the EU hasn't helped the EU at all

[John_A]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('John_A', '
')More economics. Throw in a President intent on encouraging economic slowdowns.

[kublikhan]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('dorlomin', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ralfy', 'T')he problem is that in global capitalist systems savings are re-capitalized, which means they will be spent elsewhere, leading to more resource and energy consumption.

[ralfy]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('dorlomin', 'H')ave you any evidence for this assertion? Its seems nothing more than dogma.

[ralfy]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Graeme', 'T')he savings could be used to pay off debt or invest in renewables to name two.

[Poordogabone]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'G')ive everyone fuel-efficient cars and we’ll use less fuel, right? According to some economists—and opponents of mandated improvements in energy efficiency—we'll squander some of the savings by driving more.

[John_A]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Poordogabone', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'G')ive everyone fuel-efficient cars and we’ll use less fuel, right? According to some economists—and opponents of mandated improvements in energy efficiency—we'll squander some of the savings by driving more.

[Vineyard]

Plus, If city rents continue to explode, people will still move into the "commuter belt".

I live in Vienna, Austria. Our public transport system is great. But still a lot of people move into the "Commuter Belt" around the city, because housing prices and rents are cheaper there.

[Tanada]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Vineyard', 'P')lus, If city rents continue to explode, people will still move into the "commuter belt".

I live in Vienna, Austria. Our public transport system is great. But still a lot of people move into the "Commuter Belt" around the city, because housing prices and rents are cheaper there.

[ROCKMAN]

Tanada – Houston is a perfect example of what you described. I’ve been here over 30 years and have seen that slow transition. About 20 years ago I lived in a middle class section about 15 miles north on d/t. The Woodlands was a higher scale planned community about 15 miles further north that many aspired to. And much of the d/t area was immediately surrounded by low income. But that came with painful commutes to d/t. D/t Houston at night looked like it had been abandoned…no one from the burgs travelled in unless it was for a concert or play at the big auditorium.

Now my old neighborhood is towards the lower end. Not many of the folks living in these neighborhoods commute to d/t and work much more locally. And many folks have tired of those long commutes and sold their $350k 4,000 sq ft homes in the burgs for $400k 1,400 sq ft condos or townhomes close to d/t. Middle income can barely afford to rent in the d/t area now so lower income folks had no choice but migrate. Leaving the office I drive thru a bizarre land of $500k 3-story town homes being built on lots next to what looks like an abandoned crack house. A very rough mix. My assistant and her hubby live in such a neighborhood and if he has to go out after dark, like to put the garbage can out, he tucks his 9mm in his waist band. An odd lifestyle to say the least.