The European Union, as a promoter of green agenda, has introduced some novel steps in transport sector, one of them being ‘green tires’. This article by Vijeta Rattani suggests that the Union should take up the issue of ‘technology transfer’ in transport sector starting with its immediate neighbourhood and then gradually involving other parties under the United Nations.
As a major consumer of fuel, transport sector is gaining gradual attention as a medium to address climate change and promote green growth. Investment in transport sector presents huge business opportunities which should be explored.
Introduction
Being a key contributor to Greenhouse Gases (GHG) coupled with rising fuel prices concerns, automobile sector is gaining prominence as a focal area to promote sustainable growth. In this sector, ‘green tires’ have been introduced as a novel business initiative to address the adaptive challenge of climate change. The concept first initiated by the European Union is beginning to find favour in the U.S., Japan, South Korea and China. The EU, as a recognized entity in green agenda, must focus on technology transfer in transport sector.
Against this backdrop, green tires can be identified as a potential area within technology transfer. As a pilot project, such an initiative should be carried out first in South Eastern Europe (SEE) following it up by a global strategy involving the United Nations (UN). If promoted on a big scale, this can be a rewarding venture for all parties concerned.
Concept of Green Tires
Studies show that 20 to 30 percent of fuel consumption and over 24 percent of CO2 emissions in a vehicle are caused by tyres.[1] In its efforts to be a green leader; the European Union came out with its version of fuel optimized tires referred by the name of “green tires”. Green tires have less rolling resistance. The EU created a European tire label that sets technical standards and provides information on substance-force efficiency, wet grip and rolling noise. The regulation 661/2009/EG to harmonize tire standards was started in November 2011, in a bid to improve road safety and protect the environment.[2]
Steps like these by global players like the European Union have been largely driven by the need to curb carbon emissions and address climate change.
Promotion of Green Technology
The issue of technology transfer plagues most of the climate summits when the point is about finding a globally accepted solution to climate change. The previous climate summit, held in Durban, also could not address this pressing issue. Through systematic business endeavours facilitated by policy makers, I suggest, this issue can be addressed.
In the present scenario, businesses are powerful institutions that have acquired both the form and responsibility to produce changes necessary for sustainable growth. Therefore, to address any global challenge, in this case climate change, business has to be incorporated in best possible manner both in policy making and as solution provider. Within solution giving, providing requisite technology is one of the many roles that industry is expected to play.
Promoting green technology by the European Union in transport sector in other economies is one lucrative area. The Union must start with countries of South Eastern Europe (SEE) considering their proximity to it. Currently, under the Copenhagen criteria, countries willing to accede to the EU must undergo reform processes and must adhere to EU’s standards and policies. This explains embracing of ‘European Strategy 2020’ (Europe’s ambitious plan for transforming itself into an energy efficient and low carbon economy by 2020) by SEE.[3]
Here, it requires mention that Turkey and Albania, as perspective candidates to the EU, also have strong technological investment base. EU currently is a donor to these countries in terms of aid and finance. And though these countries look up to the EU for their development and democratization processes, nonetheless, they are by themselves experiencing steady growth rates. Turkey’s GDP rate stood at 8.2 percent in 2010, while for Albania, it was 3.5 percent.[4]
In general, the entire SEE region is consistently achieving high growth rates. With steady economic growth calling for a developed infrastructure and accompanying it with rapid urbanization and better lifestyles, automobile sector holds promising investment field. Also, green technology and green business are still emerging concepts and engagement of corporate sector in promoting sustainable development is an upcoming field.
Further, increasing carbon emissions from transport sector and road safety are significant issues for SEE. Promoting green technology can also strengthen relations between Europe and SEE. Above all, this region is increasingly realizing the need for sustainable growth. Green tires, thus, offer an important potential profitable venture along other green projects like ‘green engines’, ‘green cars’ and ‘green roads’ in transport sector.
Technology transfer should bring fruitful results. Aided and promoted by their policy makers, European companies must explore this area on a serious note to promote sustainable green growth. Plus, the corporations are expected to achieve fetching gains as the market is huge. Thus, it will serve dual purpose of profit with sustainability. The scale can then be increased to include other parties under the United Nations.
Conclusion
The European Union has taken active propositions in the climate agenda. But over the past few years, it has been accused of deviating from the issue. Now, green technology transfer provides the Union with a unique opportunity to establish itself in climate change negotiations on a solid footing. And business has a vital role to bring out creative transformations in our lifestyles. It has already made a noticeable impact in the fields of energy, recycling, etc. This article suggests transport sector be given a renewed attention to address climate change. In this regard, the EU must act as a facilitator in making this happen.
