Opportunities and challenges of post-pandemic's new normal: Rethinking the contribution of the transport sector to China's carbon neutrality by 2060

Abstract

As the post-pandemic world adjusts to a new normal, the deep decarbonization of the transport sector, which is essential for China's carbon neutrality, is likely to be faced with unprecedented challenges and opportunities. This study conducted scenario simulations to understand the role of the transport sector in achieving China's carbon neutral target in the context of the post-pandemic new normal. The simulation results showed that carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions could be significantly reduced by lifestyle changes in a post-pandemic world, while the reduction potential would be partially offset by the negative effects stemming from a decline in public transport and car-sharing services. It was also found that the arrival of the post-pandemic new normal could help reduce the mitigation cost required to meet the carbon neutral target. Because of regional disparities in the reduction potential of CO2 emissions and mitigation costs, transport decarbonization toward carbon neutrality requires region-specific policy packages.