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TRANSPORTATION ENERGY 105creation and maintenance of a global emissions accounting system that international businesses can use to measure and manage their emissions uniformly. Today, programmes such as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol seek to provide this service, but localized emissions factors are often missing, limiting efficacy for truly global enterprises. These incomplete emissions data have led many global companies to commission their own studies on emissions, which means that standards now vary from company to company. In order to effectively manage emissions in the transportation sector and elsewhere, governments must support strong accounting standards.Once emissions baselines have been set, there is a host of emissions reduction programmes and technologies that governments can support to drive meaningful results. These programmes can be focused on either the vehicle fleet or the fuel supply itself. As mentioned previously, the most effective way to cut carbon in transportation is to cut fuel consumption, and global leaders should promote the technologies to do so. Whereas some countries such as the United States have implemented fuel efficiency standards for passenger and freight transport vehicles, strong fuel efficiency standards should be enacted around the world that reflect what is achievable today and what can be achieved tomorrow. With fuel cost savings offsetting some or all of the incremental cost of these technologies, national vehicle fleets can effectively cut carbon without bringing on significant costs. Finally, in addition to increasing the efficiency of the vehicle fleet, businesses should be actively encouraged to optimize their use of more efficient transport modes.The second area of focus should be the fuel supply itself. In the United States, we have seen the state of California – the 8th-largest economy in the world – establish itself as a pioneer of such regulations. Recently, California has incorporated fuel emissions into its cap-and-trade system, applying a traditional carbon pricing mechanism to the fuel supply, such that consumers must account for the emissions associated with the fuel they consume. California has also maintained a Low-Carbon Fuel Standard since 2013, which seeks to lower the carbon intensity of the fuel supply through the incorporation of alternative fuels via a market-based mechanism. This programme’s early successes have led neighboring states such as Oregon to adopt similar programmes while national and subnational governments are taking this system into consideration as well.Following the adoption of the first truly global climate accord in Paris this past December, government leaders around the world have committed themselves to reducing carbon emissions from every sector of their economies. Meeting the goals set forth in Paris will require an unprecedented effort, leveraging the collective power of governments, NGOs, and the private sector. An effective strategy for each country and the world will foster necessary innovation, while capitalizing on efforts from leaders in the business world. The goals set in Paris are achievable, but only if world leaders can work with each other and with the private sector to create change and build a low-carbon future, together. ■ABOUT THE AUTHORDaniel Cullen is the Director of Applied Knowledge at Breakthrough®Fuel, a transportation energy advisory firm based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. His responsibilities include global markets for both transportation energy and carbon emissions, and he actively advises Breakthrough®Fuel clients in developing global energy management strategies. Originally from Troy, New York, Mr Cullen received his A.B. from Princeton University, where he concentrated in politics.Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Economic SectorSource: IPCC (2014) based on global emissions from 2010. Details about the sources included in these estimates can be found in the Contribution of Working Group III to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.