Transportation

Challenge & Opportunity

Transportation is one of the largest sources of global greenhouse-gas emissions. Cars, trucks, planes, ships, and trains power modern life, but most still rely on fossil fuels. As global travel and trade continue to grow, emissions from transportation risk increasing unless the system itself is transformed.

The opportunity lies in rethinking how we move people and goods. Electrification, sustainable fuels, and smarter mobility systems are reshaping transportation across land, sea, and air. Some solutions, like electric vehicles, are already scaling rapidly. Others, such as sustainable aviation fuel and zero-emission shipping, are emerging to address sectors that are harder to decarbonize.

The goal is not just cleaner transportation, but a system that is more efficient, resilient, and aligned with a low-carbon future.

Electric Vehicles (EVs)
Electric cars, buses, and trucks replace internal combustion engines with electric drivetrains powered by batteries. As electricity grids become cleaner, EVs dramatically reduce lifecycle emissions while offering lower operating costs and improved performance.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
Aviation is one of the hardest sectors to decarbonize. SAF, produced from waste oils, biomass, or synthetic processes using clean electricity, can reduce emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel, without requiring new aircraft.

Zero-Emission Shipping
Maritime transport is exploring fuels such as green methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen, along with wind-assisted propulsion. These technologies aim to decarbonize global trade while maintaining reliability.

Smart Mobility & Logistics
Digital tools, route optimization, and shared mobility platforms reduce fuel use by improving efficiency. Sometimes the cleanest mile is the one never driven.

Together, these solutions are transforming transportation from one of the largest climate challenges into one of the most dynamic areas of climate innovation.

Moving People and Goods Without Warming the Planet

Examples

Tesla
A leader in electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and battery technology, helping accelerate the global transition to zero-emission transport.
www.tesla.com

Neste
A global leader in sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel, supplying low-carbon fuels to airlines and logistics companies worldwide.
www.neste.com

Norsepower
A leader in wind-assisted propulsion technology, Norsepower develops advanced rotor sail systems that harness wind power to reduce fuel consumption and emissions for commercial shipping worldwide.
www.norsepower.com

Companies Making an Impact

Category

Climate Impact

Innovation Momentum

Scalability

Real-World Adoption

Transportation
Climate Impact And Readiness Assessment (CIARA)

Score

8/10

7/10

8/10

Overall CIARA Score: 7.75 / 10

Transportation is undergoing a historic transformation, one that will define mobility, trade, and climate outcomes for decades to come.

Why it Matters

Transportation accounts for a major share of emissions, and cleaner alternatives can deliver large reductions.

Rapid progress in EVs, batteries, and sustainable fuels is reshaping the sector.

EVs scale quickly; aviation and shipping require longer timelines and infrastructure changes.

EV adoption is accelerating globally, while SAF and zero-emission shipping are entering early commercial stages.