World Energy Council sets out a radically different vision for the future of transport

The World Energy Council (WEC) will tomorrow (2 February) outline two distinct visions of the future of the global transport sector to 2050, highlighting the impact that policies could have on the future of the transport sector.

Professor Karl Rose, Director of Policy and Scenarios at WEC and Dr. Ayed Al-Qahtani, Senior Project Manager of Scenarios at WEC, will speak on Global Transport 2050: Scenarios and Implications, at the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). 

During a public lecture they will discuss the implications on fuel demand, technology mix and emissions in both OECD and Non OECD countries, detailing the findings of a year-long study involving the WEC's global member-network and their modelling work with the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland. 

Prof Rose said today: "It is evident that the transport sector is about to go through a radical change. OECD countries will be almost completely transformed and we will see a pronounced shift of demand for transport fuels to the developing countries."

Dr Al-Qahtani added: "This has potentially significant implications for refiners and the downstream sector as a whole, especially in Europe which traditionally has a larger focus on diesel fuels."

The lecture follows the publication in Qatar in December of a report from WEC highlighting the role of governments in providing a sustainable future for the global transport sector. Global Transport Scenarios 2050 issued a range of key takeaway messages for policymakers, including the hard-hitting sign-off: "It is evident that without strong government regulation, putting public interest and common good before individual concerns, transport markets will tend to develop along the lines of business as usual and little progress will be made in developing infrastructure and technologies to reduce the negative impacts of transport."

Dr Robert Parker, Royal Society of Chemistry chief executive, said: "The World Energy Council has a uniquely impartial and global view of energy issues dating back to its inception early last century. Professor Rose's views are formed from extensive international experience, as are Dr Qahtani's, and together they are sure to give some great insights into the future, which will affect not only us in the world of science but every member of the public worldwide."

Notes for editors:

The World Energy Council (WEC) is the principal impartial energy policy forum promoting an affordable, stable and environmentally sensitive energy system for the greatest benefit of all. Formed in 1923, WEC is the UN accredited global energy body, representing the entire energy spectrum, with more than 3000 member organizations located in over 90 countries and drawn from governments, private and state corporations, academia, NGOs and energy related stakeholders. WEC informs global, regional and national energy strategies by hosting high level events, publishing authoritative studies and working through its extensive member network to facilitate the Energy Leaders' dialogue.