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The transport sector represents 25% of global CO2 emissions, and large-scale emission reductions are needed in this sector to meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement. Long term low-greenhouse gas emissions development strategies are key enabling instruments to reconcile near-to-medium term action with long term objectives. While a range of options exist to decarbonize the passenger transport sector, the detailed sequencing of actions and resulting transformations over time remain largely unexplained in policy debates. Scenarios from transport-energy modelling provide useful insights about technological strategies but often overlook other key drivers of transportation futures, including social, organizational and spatial determinants of mobility, and are not easily usable to inform policy discussions. In this paper, we introduce a new framework to design and compare long term national decarbonization pathways for passenger transportation. This framework is based on an iterative method combining detailed qualitative storylines, full scenario quantification and standardized dashboard reporting, adapted from the general Deep Decarbonization Pathways (DDP) framework. For illustration, the method is applied by four national research teams in Japan, the UK, Mexico and France, to derive country-specific decarbonization pathways. The results across countries show that: (i) strong action is needed across all types of options to reach deep decarbonization, notably demand-side solutions; (ii) deep decarbonization is compatible with other policy priorities such as satisfying mobility needs at affordable costs; and (iii) strategies should be tailored to mobility purpose, local contexts and national circumstances. The framework can be adapted to other sectors and should be further developed in the context of future policy processes. Key Policy insights Understanding deep decarbonization of the passenger transport sector requires a novel conceptual approach that articulates metrics across diverse dimensions (social, economic, energy, etc.) to increase policy relevance. We introduce a framework to design national decarbonization pathways for passenger transportation following this approach. Strong action across all pillars of decarbonization including demand-side solutions is needed to reach deep emissions reductions. Deep decarbonization is compatible with other policy priorities such as satisfying mobility needs at affordable costs. Strategies should be tailored to mobility purposes, local contexts and national circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This synthesis paper presents the objectives, approach and cross-cutting results of the Latin American Deep Decarbonization Pathways project (DDP-LAC). It synthesizes and compares detailed national and sectoral deep decarbonization pathways (DDPs) to 2050 compatible with the Paris Agreement objectives and domestic development priorities in Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru. The first five countries analysed in detail the energy system and agriculture, forestry and land use (AFOLU) at a high level, while Peru focussed on a detailed analysis of AFOLU given its predominance in its GHG emissions. While economy-wide results were produced, this paper focuses on the electricity, passenger transport, and AFOLU results because of their current emissions, potential to grow, and identification of successful strategies for decarbonization (e.g. switching to clean electricity and other net-zero emissions fuels across the economy; urban planning, mode shifting, and electrification in passenger transport; and intensive sustainable agriculture, assignment of land use rights and their enforcement and afforestation in AFOLU). It also highlights where significant emissions remain in 2050, notably in industry, AFOLU, freight, and oil and gas production, all areas for future research. It derives insights for the design of domestic policy packages and identifies priorities for international cooperation. This analysis provides critical information for Long-Term Strategies, Nationally Determined Contributions and Global Stocktaking in the context of the Paris Agreement. • The Latin American Deep Decarbonization Pathways project (DDP-LAC) included teams from Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico & Peru. • DDP-LAC's purpose was to create energy & AFOLU modelling capability, net-zero DDP scenarios, a community, and initiate stakeholder engagement. • Electricity generation, personal transport, and AFOLU were identified as key areas given current emissions and potential growth. • DDPs were established for the energy system for Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Mexico, with initial explorations of AFOLU. • A more in-depth AFOLU DDP was established for Peru. • Mitigation pathways were identified for personal transport and electricity generation. • Services, buildings, households, and some industry were largely decarbonized through electrification. • There were significant remaining emissions in AFOLU, freight, industry, oil and gas production and waste, key areas for future effort. • Areas for research were identified for domestic policy package formation and international cooperation to implement the DDPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]