Transportation Markets in Climate Change

In its simplest form the transportation business affected by climate change will come down to three areas: vehicles, fuels and a variety of services designed to effect behavioral change. Secondary markets, likely no less important, are the supply chain and infrastructure to support the first two. And advocates won't let us forget fringe markets like public transit and bicycles. Vehicles and fuels add up to well over 80% of CCBJ's estimated $69 billion in U.S. transportation business in the climate change industry in 2009. The segment grew 15% and 16% in 2007 and 2008 respectively, and 2009's 12% decline was largely an effect of declining vehicle and fuel sales in the recession. Growth is expected to return in 2010, although at a modest rate given the slow recovery in vehicle sales, and is forecasted at 10-12% annual growth from 2011-2012.

Inside this Edition:

Biofuels Industry Moves Beyond Corn Ethanol
While corn ethanol producers weathered a difficult year, the biodiesel industry is on the ropes due to a lapse in its federal tax credits. But forward-looking energy companies and investors have already moved on to advanced biofuels like cellulosic ethanol made from crop residues and other waste materials, biomass-based diesel and biobutanol from renewable biomass. And these players are focused on developing "drop-in" biofuels that essentially mimic gasoline, diesel and other fuels and don't require engine modifications or separate fueling infrastructures.

The Race for Low-Carbon Vehicles
Stories explore the merits, advantages and challenges of all the major contenders to the low-carbon vehicle throne of the future and describe how the industry is preparing to manage the dramatic uptick in demand that would accompany a major roll-out of plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles. A profile of Ford Motor Co. details the company's strategy to balance short-term imperatives to meet fuel-efficiency requirements in the U.S. and Europe with longer-term goals to shift away from petroleum.

Leveraging IT
Using information technology to facilitate efficient traffic management, ridesharing and transit usage appears to be a growing business that can make low-carbon travel modes more convenient and attractive and reduce the GHGs per vehicle miles traveled by conventional vehicles. Consultants and experts describe the evolution of technology and winning business models.

Dozens of expert perspectives
To sketch a comprehensive picture of the transportation business and its responses to climate change, CCBJ interviewed more than 25 experts from leading firms and organizations including: AECOM, Biofuels Digest, Cambridge Systematics, David Evans & Associates, Electric Power Research Institute, Emerging Markets, Ford Motor Co., Greenman Pedersen, Local Government Commission, Parsons Brinckerhoff, PBS&J, PG&E, Sempra, U.S. Marine Corps and others.


Look Inside the Transportation Markets in Climate Change edition


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