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Businesstravel Vehiclerental Diesel emission factor trends — Global

The UK DESNZ historic data released in 2024 show a consistent downward path in emission factors from 2015 to 2024, with the figures moving from 0.185363 down toward 0.16983 across the period. This pattern aligns with broader decarbonization efforts in road transport, where fleet renewal toward newer, more efficient diesel models and a gradual shift to low-emission fleets are reducing per-kilometre emissions. As the IEA notes, “the transport sector continues to decarbonize as efficiency improves and electrification expands,” which supports observed reductions in emission factors. The official UK framework also underpins these calculations: BEIS/Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and related conversion factors provide the benchmarks used for estimating emissions from organizational activities, with downward revisions reflecting technological gains and policy-driven fleet changes. In 2025, the downward trend is likely to persist as rental fleets increasingly favor efficiency and alternative propulsion options.

Category
Business travel
Geography
Global
Unit
kgCO2e / km
Baseline
Baseline 2024 → 2050
Last updated
Updated

Regions covered: All regions

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Projection chart

Cumulative percentage change in the emission factor from the 2024 baseline. Shaded band shows min–max range; bold line is the Viable Pathway mid projection.

Data table (Viable mid projection)

Year Min Viable mid Max
2024 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
2025 -1.0% -1.0% -1.0%
2026 -1.5% -1.5% -1.5%
2027 -1.9% -1.9% -1.9%
2028 -2.3% -2.3% -2.3%
2029 -2.7% -2.7% -2.7%
2030 -3.2% -3.2% -3.2%
2031 -3.6% -3.6% -3.6%
2032 -4.1% -4.1% -4.1%
2033 -4.5% -4.5% -4.5%
2034 -4.9% -4.9% -4.9%
2035 -5.4% -5.4% -5.4%
2036 -5.8% -5.8% -5.8%
2037 -6.3% -6.3% -6.3%
2038 -6.7% -6.7% -6.7%
2039 -7.2% -7.2% -7.2%
2040 -7.7% -7.7% -7.7%
2041 -8.1% -8.1% -8.1%
2042 -8.6% -8.6% -8.6%
2043 -9.1% -9.1% -9.1%
2044 -9.5% -9.5% -9.5%
2045 -10.0% -10.0% -10.0%
2046 -10.5% -10.5% -10.5%
2047 -10.9% -10.9% -10.9%
2048 -11.4% -11.4% -11.4%
2049 -11.9% -11.9% -11.9%
2050 -12.4% -12.4% -12.4%

How the Viable mid projection is calculated

Weighted projection based on pedigree quality assessments, normalised to 2024 emission factor

Sources and scenarios

Scenario Source Type Ambition Pedigree
DESNZ_Historic

Historic reductions from previous years projected linearly forwards.

UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Emission factors have dropped from 2015 to 2024 by this rate: 0.185363, 0.18307, 0.17887, 0.17753, 0.17336, 0.16844, 0.16843, 0.17082, 0.16983, 0.16983

historic base 1

Changelog

  • — Updated vpmid mid from blended projection (len=27); appended source1 from UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (historic) year=2024, pedigree_score=1.

Frequently asked questions

What is driving businesstravel vehiclerental diesel decarbonisation in Global?

The UK DESNZ historic data released in 2024 show a consistent downward path in emission factors from 2015 to 2024, with the figures moving from 0.185363 down toward 0.16983 across the period. This pattern aligns with broader decarbonization efforts in road transport, where fleet renewal toward newer, more efficient diesel models and a gradual shift to low-emission fleets are reducing per-kilometre emissions. As the IEA notes, “the transport sector continues to decarbonize as efficiency improves and electrification expands,” which supports observed reductions in emission factors. The official UK framework also underpins these calculations: BEIS/Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and related conversion factors provide the benchmarks used for estimating emissions from organizational activities, with downward revisions reflecting technological gains and policy-driven fleet changes. In 2025, the downward trend is likely to persist as rental fleets increasingly favor efficiency and alternative propulsion options.

How does Viable Pathway calculate the mid projection?

Weighted projection based on pedigree quality assessments, normalised to 2024 emission factor

Discussion

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