Emissions from the transport sector in Ecuador more than doubled from 1990 to 2019 as fleets of both commercial and passenger vehicles have grown. Electricity, hydrogen and biomass met less than 1% of the final energy demand in the sector in 2019. Under a 1.5°C compatible scenario, emissions from the sector need to be reduced by between 77% and 88% below 2019 levels by 2050. The sector could be fully decarbonised by 2060 with a sufficiently rapid electrification and utilisation of renewable hydrogen.
As part of its NDC implementation, Ecuador aims to develop an efficient public transportation system for example by building 22 km of metro lines and 12 km of tramway in Quito. While positive developments, these projects will only have a small overall impact on sectoral emissions. As part of its conditional NDC’s implementation targets, Ecuador will also develop a National Appropriate Mitigation Action (NAMA) project for the transport sector to define actions for emission reductions focusing on passenger and freight transport modes.16
Some emissions reductions can be achieved by creating opportunities for sustainable and efficient public transport. However, reducing emissions from private transport will have to be the main focus to follow a 1.5°C compatible pathway.
1 Ministerio del Ambiente del Ecuador. Primera Contribución Determinada a nivel nacional para el Acuerdo de París bajo la Convención Marco de Naciones Unidad sobre Cambio Climático. Gobierno de Ecuador 1–44. 2019.
4MERNNR. Plan Maestro de Electricidad 2019-2027. MERNNR Ministerio de Energía y Recursos No RenovablesMinisterio de Energía y Recursos No Renovables 390. 2019.
5 Ministerio del Ambiente (Ecuador). Primer Informe Bienal de Actualización de Ecuador. 2016.
6 Meta en Ecuador para depender menos del petróleo aún no se alcanza. El Universo. 2019.
7 Gobierno de Ecuador. Estrategia Nacional de Cambio Climático del Ecuador 2012-2025. vol. 148. 2012.
Ecuadorʼs transport sector direct CO₂ emissions (of energy demand)
MtCO₂/yr
Unit
510152019902010203020502070
Historical emissions
SSP1 High CDR reliance
SSP1 Low CDR reliance
Low energy demand
1.5°C compatible transport sector benchmarks
Direct CO₂ emissions and shares of electricity, biofuels and hydrogen in the transport final energy demand from illustrative 1.5°C pathways for Ecuador