Trading road transport CO2-emissions.

For reducing carbon emissions the transport sector may be the most difficult challenge. Many efforts for controlling CO2 and to raise energy efficiency have shown poor returns. The forces for increasing the amount of transport are strong, leading to higher emissions. Aviation is dedicated to go in under the common European Emission Trading Scheme and road transport may come in as well. Aeroplanes may be there by 2012, but it is likely to happen at a later stage for cars, buses and trucks. Firstly, the system for trading transport emissions their need to be further developed. Further studies into the implications may also be appropriate, not the least for justifying such a move. The undertaking by the car manufacturers to reduce CO2 by 25 per cent from 1995 should be accomplished by 2008. That date will surely come, but the goal will not be met by then. So there is already an urgent issue on the agenda: how to take the measures forward? How should CO2 be controlled further? How to make sure that the manufacturers goals are met, even if it may come somewhat later than promised? How to get effective control of emissions in a longer time-frame? A lesson to be learned may be that a voluntary commitment to reduce carbon dioxide from transport would not do. More solid measures may have to be implemented, which is the aim here. The use of market related mechanism for driving towards more energy efficient road vehicles has been studies in couple of investigations in Sweden in recent time. The implications for setting up a baseline and credit system for light vehicles have been studied with the aim to effectively replace the voluntary commitment by manufacturers. Furthermore, a similar system but for new heavy duty vehicles has also been elaborated. A possible second baseline-and credit system may be set up to promote energy efficiency also on heavy duty vehicles. These may fit in the time-gap prior the possible introduction of transport in emission trading, or any other new instrument. For the covering abstract see ITRD E137145.