Decarbonizing road freight in the future — Detailed scenarios of the carbon emissions of Finnish road freight transport in 2030 using a Delphi method approach

Research on the future of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of road freight transport in Finland is reported in this paper. Delphi method is utilized to forecast the changes of GDP and seven indicators which determine the CO2 emissions of road freight. Information about the factors affecting the future of these indicators was also collected and an innovative method for acquiring qualitative data in the first round of Delphi study and quantifying it in the second round is presented. Cluster analysis is used to create six scenarios for 2030. The scenarios are mostly driven by different economic developments, which result in very different demand for transport. Despite of this, all scenarios forecast at least 26% reduction in CO2 emissions from 2010 level, while the maximum reduction in one of the scenarios is 74%.

[1]  S Pacala,et al.  Stabilization Wedges: Solving the Climate Problem for the Next 50 Years with Current Technologies , 2004, Science.

[2]  Martin Steinert,et al.  A dissensus based online Delphi approach: An explorative research tool , 2009 .

[3]  Alan C. McKinnon,et al.  Logistical restructuring and road freight traffic growth , 1996 .

[4]  Osmo Kuusi Expertise in the Future Use of Generic Technologies , 1999 .

[5]  Heikki Liimatainen,et al.  Energy efficiency practices among road freight hauliers , 2012 .

[6]  Vilja Varho,et al.  Combining the qualitative and quantitative with the Q2 scenario technique — The case of transport and climate , 2013 .

[7]  A. McKinnon,et al.  Forecasting the carbon footprint of road freight transport in 2020 , 2010 .

[8]  B. Lundman,et al.  Qualitative content analysis in nursing research: concepts, procedures and measures to achieve trustworthiness. , 2004, Nurse education today.

[9]  Vilja Varho,et al.  The unholy marriage? Integrating qualitative and quantitative information in Delphi processes , 2011 .

[10]  Petri Tapio,et al.  Disaggregative Policy Delphi: Using cluster analysis as a tool for systematic scenario formation , 2003 .

[11]  Heikki Liimatainen,et al.  The impact of sectoral economic development on the energy efficiency and CO2 emissions of road freight transport , 2013 .

[12]  M. Adler,et al.  Gazing into the oracle : the Delphi method and its application to social policy and public health , 1996 .

[13]  Franklin Farell Roadmap to a Single European Transport Area: Towards a competitive and resource efficient transport system , 2014 .

[14]  N. Meinshausen,et al.  Greenhouse-gas emission targets for limiting global warming to 2 °C , 2009, Nature.

[15]  Markku Lehtonen,et al.  Decomposing road freight energy use in the United Kingdom , 2009 .

[16]  Brian Everitt,et al.  Cluster analysis , 1974 .

[17]  G. W. Milligan,et al.  CLUSTERING VALIDATION: RESULTS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR APPLIED ANALYSES , 1996 .

[18]  Martin Nowack,et al.  Review of Delphi-Based Scenario Studies: Quality and Design Considerations , 2011 .

[19]  S. Schneider,et al.  Climate Change 2007 Synthesis report , 2008 .

[20]  Pasi Rikkonen,et al.  Future prospects of alternative agro-based bioenergy use in Finland—Constructing scenarios with quantitative and qualitative Delphi data , 2009 .

[21]  M. Fosgerau,et al.  Decomposing the decoupling of Danish road freight traffic growth and economic growth , 2007 .

[22]  George Wright,et al.  Delphi: A reevaluation of research and theory , 1991 .