Financing the Transition in the Transportation Sector: Economic and Legal Stakes

Benoît THIRION * Avocat associé, Hoche Avocats. Contact : thirion@hocheavocats.com Cet article est une synthèse remise à jour du rapport réalisé pour le think tank Terra Nova par Patrice Geoffron et Benoît Thirion, « Décarboner les transports et les mobilités : quelles réponses efficaces face aux urgences ? », juin 2023.

The transportation sector constitutes a priority for the ecological transition because it is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in France, accounting for 30% of emissions and 32% of final energy consumption. To begin decarbonization, several means have been singled out: lowering the demand for transportation, a modal shift towards active mobility and rail transportation, optimizing vehicle occupancy, improving energy efficiency through technology and electrification, and reducing the carbon intensity of vehicles. To overcome the attendant financial hurdles, several avenues are being explored, including increasing carbon pricing to €100 per ton of CO₂ by 2030, and promoting a public-private partnership framework to help with investments.