First meeting

The ICCT’s journey began when eighteen government officials and experts from Europe, China, Japan, and the United States came together on June 2001, in Bellagio, Italy, for three intensive days of meetings in response to global environmental and health concerns. They emerged with the Bellagio Memorandum on Motor Vehicle Policy, a foundational set of guiding principles for designing effective policies to address air pollution from vehicles and fuels. This meeting served as the catalyst for the creation of a global network of progressive government officials, later formally embodied as the International Council on Clean Transportation. It marked the beginning of the ICCT’s mission to provide scientific research and policy analysis to help governments in major markets reduce pollution from the transportation sector.

Those who founded and built the ICCT

Incorporation and first U.S. offices

In 2005, the ICCT was formally incorporated and opened our first offices in San Francisco, CA and Washington D.C. This marked the beginning of our formal operations as an independent nonprofit dedicated to influencing global transportation policies through rigorous research and analysis.

Creating a global race to the top

In 2007, at the suggestion of the European Commission, the ICCT published a ground-breaking report that compiled and compared passenger vehicle CO2 and fuel economy standards from seven governments. By developing a methodology to allow for an apples-to-apples comparison of vehicle performance, the report revealed that European and Japanese vehicles were nearly twice as efficient as passenger vehicles in the United States, highlighting the importance of effective policy and low carbon technologies. Over the years, the main chart from this report was updated many times as new policies were adopted and new governments were added. Today, the chart illustrates the tremendous progress over the last 20 years in lowering carbon emissions from vehicles. Importantly, the chart now shows that Europe and California’s vehicle standards phase down to zero by 2035, requiring the transition from fossil fuel to zero-emission vehicles.

10 years of clean transportation

The 2011 annual meeting of the Council Summit looked back at key issues and important developments since the organization’s informal founding ten years previously, and considered some of the challenges that face transportation policy makers in the coming decade.

European vehicle market statistics

The first annual European vehicle market statistics report was published in 2011. This flagship publication provides a statistical snapshot of the evolving landscape of the European Union’s car, van, truck, and bus markets in their journey toward decarbonization. The report series encompasses data spanning from 2001 onwards, focusing on vehicle sales, fuel efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions, and air pollutants.

ICCT’s European office opens in Germany

The establishment of an office in Berlin, Germany helped to strengthen the presence of ICCT in the major vehicle markets of the European Union. ICCT has provided crucial analytical support for the European Union’s strong vehicle emissions standards, in addition for the EU’s renewable fuels policies and planned phase-out of combustion engine vehicles.

ICCT analysis helps the European Union adopt its first stringent mandatory CO₂ standard for cars

In 2009, the EU set its first mandatory CO₂ emission standards. It was a relatively weak measure (of 130g/CO₂/km by 2015) based largely on data from the auto industry. In the years leading up to the next standards set in 2013, the ICCT played a leading role in a promoting stronger standards. Leveraging similar work the ICCT did to support U.S. policymaking, the ICCT moved very early to provide an accurate, alternative dataset to the one provided by industry; our data was available in time to inform the European Commission’s impact assessment. The ICCT’s detailed analysis and comprehensive communication helped the EU adopt a more stringent standard of 95g/CO₂/km for all new vehicle sales by 2021. By proactively anticipating the needs of policymakers in the EU, the ICCT was able to prepare well in advance of a policy decision and create a “tsunami of data” that supported an ambitious and impactful new standard.

ICCT supports U.S. adoption of world’s most stringent PM and NOx tailpipe standards

In 2014, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was in the process of developing and adopting the next phase of emission standards for light- and medium-duty passenger vehicles, referred to as Tier 3. Required by executive order, no federal regulation can be adopted unless the social benefits outweigh the costs. To prove the cost-effectiveness of the Tier 3 standards, the ICCT undertook an extensive analysis of a key component of the cost assessment: the amount of noble metals used to produce catalytic converters. The work provided was cited in the supporting regulatory text. Moreover, the agency informed ICCT that its comments and supporting research was directly responsible for EPA dropping the cost estimate from $134 in the proposal to $72 per vehicle in the final rule, resulting in much lower costs and a positive cost-benefit assessment. The ICCT’s work supported the most stringent PM and NOx tailpipe emissions standards in the world.

Dieselgate exposed through ground-breaking ICCT research

In 2013, ICCT researchers assessed the emissions of diesel passenger cars in the United States to determine for European governments whether diesel cars could be clean under real-world conditions—a premise that a growing body of evidence was calling into doubt. In 2014, the ICCT published the results, which showed that the real-world emissions of certain VW models exceeded regulatory limits by a factor of 5 to 35 times(!) depending on the vehicle and pollutant. We informed the California Air Resources Board and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of our results and alerted VW to a possible issue. The ICCT’s work prompted further investigation by California and U.S. EPA. In 2015, EPA and U.S. Department of Justice announced a notice of violation against VW for use of illegal defeat devices in half a million diesel VWs and Audis sold in the United States from 2009 to 2016. Inspired by the ICCT’s work and follow-up from U.S. Justice Department, European governments in Germany, the United Kingdom, and France conducted real-world emissions testing that exposed widespread cheating by multiple manufacturers who sold diesel cars into the European market. Since the ICCT’s groundbreaking work, which became known as Dieselgate, governments in major vehicle markets (e.g., United States, Europe, India, South Korea, China) now require real world emissions testing during initial vehicle certification and throughout useful vehicle life to guard against any future use of defeat devices or similar cheating.

International Zero-Emission Vehicle Alliance

The International Zero-Emission Vehicle Alliance (ZEV Alliance) is a network of leading national and sub-national governments demonstrating their deep commitment to accelerating the transition to zero-emission vehicles within their markets and through collective action. The Alliance was announced alongside the landmark Paris Agreement in 2015 and was one of the first intergovernmental coalitions formed with the goal of accelerating the ZEV transition. The International Council on Clean Transportation serves as Secretariat.

ICCT research helps India leapfrog from Euro IV to Euro VI emission standards

In 2014, India’s government-initiated discussions to update its Bharat Stage (BS) standards from BS IV to BS V and eventually BS VI. ICCT’s extensive analysis in the European Union and other countries showed that Euro V-equivalent standards would fail to substantially reduce local air pollutant emissions from India’s vehicle fleet. Throughout the standard development and adoption period, the ICCT conducted extensive technical analysis on key components including standard design, technology assessment, economic incentives and benefits, low sulfur fuel availability, and more. The findings ultimately had a direct influence on India’s decision to leapfrog standards. In 2016, India adopted the new, more BS VI standards and established an important precedent for leapfrogging to achievable but more ambitious standards.

China 6 emission standards for light-duty vehicles

In 2016, the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People’s Republic of China released the final rule of the Stage 6 Limits and Measurement Methods for Emissions from Light-Duty Vehicles. The China 6 standard, which took effect in 2020, combined international best practices in addition to creating its own. The China 6 standard was one of the most stringent emission standards around the world for the post-2020 time frame. Moreover, it took China about a decade less that other markets to move from its first emissions regulation to a world-class emission standard. The China government officially recognized the ICCT China team for the organization’s outstanding contribution to the development of these ground-breaking standards.

The Real Urban Emissions (TRUE) Initiative

The Real Urban Emissions (TRUE) Initiative, a partnership created by the International Council on Clean Transportation and the FIA Foundation, launched a new project in 2017 with the cities of London and Paris with a goal of identifying real-world pollution levels from vehicles. The project captured and analyzed detailed information on pollutants from vehicle exhaust using remote-sensing equipment and portable emissions monitoring systems. Since the Paris and London projects, TRUE has helped cities all over the globe assess real-world emissions from vehicles to assist with the creation of effective policies.

ICCT’s China office opens in Beijing

In May 2018, the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) re-registered as a representative office in China, adapting to new NGO regulations. This followed our initial registration as a Wholly Owned Foreign Enterprise (WOFE) in May 2015 and the hiring of our first China-based staff, Hongyang and Hanzi, in August 2016. The office, overseen by the Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE), holds a legal certificate from the Beijing Bureau of Public Security. The MEE has expanded responsibilities for ecological, environmental protection and improvement, and greenhouse gas emissions management. The ICCT continues to be one of the few foreign NGOs approved by the Ministry.

ICCT helps the International Civil Aviation Organization adopt life-cycle GHG methodology for aviation fuels

Through the submission of multiple technical inputs, and collaboration with other stakeholders on the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Fuels Task Group, the ICCT helped to ensure final approval of a life-cycle assessment methodology for aviation fuels. The methodology, developed for use in ICAO’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, incorporated rigorous full GHG accounting, including important safeguards on land-use, that drew on best practices in the European Union and California. While the methodology ICCT supported through our work is only a starting point, it sets a strong minimum global standard.

Vision 2050: A strategy to decarbonize the global transport sector by mid-century

In 2020, the ICCT launched “Vision 2050,” an ambitious framework aiming to decarbonize the global transportation sector by the mid-21st century outlined in a flagship publication. This strategic initiative defines pathways to achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions through technological advancements, policy reforms, and international collaboration. It seeks to align global transportation systems with the Paris Agreement’s climate objectives, ensuring a sustainable and environmentally friendly future.

ICCT supports adoption of the International Maritime Organization’s Global Sulfur Cap

The ICCT’s Marine Team made important contributions to the 2020 Global Sulfur Cap adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) slashed the maximum allowable sulfur content in marine fuels from 3.5% to 0.5%, preventing tens of thousands premature deaths annually by drastically reducing air pollution. The ICCT’s research showing the environmental and health benefits of the cap, in addition to its participation as technical advisors to IMO member states played an important role in defending against efforts to delay or phase in implementation of a sulfur cap.

ICCT Opens Latin American office in São Paulo, Brazil

The establishment of an ICCT office in São Paulo, Brazil, helped to further expand institutional capacity in one of the largest vehicle markets in the world. The country is also an important player in the global biofuels industry, with an energy mix characterized by a high share of renewable sources. ICCT provides critical technical support for efforts to mitigate vehicle emissions and policies that enable low or zero emission technologies in the road, maritime, ​​and aviation sectors.

ICCT’s Drew Kodjak wins Skoll Award for Social Innovation

In 2020, ICCT’s Executive Director Drew Kodjak was selected to receive the Skoll Award for Social Innovation, receiving $1.5 million in unrestricted funding to scale the ICCT’s work and increase our impact. Through the Skoll Awards, the Skoll Foundation seeks to highlight social innovators whose work has already had significant impact on some of the world’s most pressing problems and who are poised to act as critical catalysts of transformational social change. The Skoll Foundation’s video of the ICCT’s impactful work was an important element of the award.

Zero Emission Vehicle Transition Council

On November 27, 2020, ministers and representatives from some of the world’s largest and most progressive car markets came together to form a new Zero Emission Vehicles Transition Council (ZEVTC). The council was established as the world’s first political forum through which ministers and government representatives from most of the world’s largest and most progressive automotive markets—collectively accounting for more than half of all new car sales globally—meet to discuss how to accelerate the pace of the global transition to zero emission vehicles. The International Council on Clean Transportation serves as Secretariat for ZEVTC.

Accelerating to Zero Coalition

At COP26, hosted by Glasgow in 2021, the Zero Emission Vehicles Declaration (ZEV Declaration) was launched by a leadership group of more than 100 countries, businesses, and organizations committed to driving forward a transition to a climate-neutral transportation sector. As a continuation of this momentum, the Accelerating to Zero (A2Z) Coalition was launched the following year at COP27 to support the growing number of signatories and to further accelerate the transition of the global transportation sector.

The A2Z Coalition is a collaboration of the International Council on Clean Transportation, who serves as Secretariat, as well as Ceres, Climate Group, Drive Electric Campaign, and the Government of the United Kingdom, who together comprise the A2Z Steering Committee.

First Transatlantic Transportation Decarbonization Summit

The ICCT hosted the first Transatlantic Transportation Decarbonization Summit (TTDS), which brought together leaders from government, industry, and civil society to accelerate one crucial response to the climate crisis: the electrification of all on-road vehicles. This annual convening of government, industry, and thought leaders pursues global decarbonization of all transport sectors.
TTDS 23 | TTDS 24 

Global Automaker Rating

The Global Automaker Rating, a flagship report, provides a forward-looking examination of manufacturer preparedness for vehicle electrification based on independent data and analysis. The report evaluates automakers on their progress toward decarbonization across a set of measures related to their position in the market, technology performance, and strategic vision for future decarbonization.

2023 report | 2024 report

India Clean Transportation Summit (ICTS)

In collaboration with India’s G20 Secretariat, the ICCT India office hosted the highly anticipated first annual India Clean Transportation Summit (ICTS). The primary goal for this event is to initiate impactful dialogues among Indian thought leaders and pave the path for the country’s imperative journey towards decarbonizing its road transport sector.

The establishment of the ICCT India office in 2023 helps to support our engagement in one of the fastest-growing vehicle markets in the world. By working closely with Indian regulators and stakeholders, the ICCT aims to reduce the environmental impact of transportation in a region with significant air quality challenges.

The ICCT helps the International Maritime Organization set 2050 net-zero target

In 2023, ICCT expertise was instrumental in shaping the Revised IMO Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Strategy, a landmark step toward decarbonizing the shipping sector. The revised strategy set a net-zero target for 2050 and introduced strong interim targets for 2030 and 2040. These new standards were predicated on 2021 ICCT research which demonstrated why absolute emissions reduction targets were needed to put international shipping on a clear and predictable pathway to net-zero GHG emissions in international shipping. The ICCT has pivoted to build on that success by working to implement the strategy with legally binding measures.

ICCT personnel and analysis supports the UK’s ZEV mandate

Following years of close collaboration through ICCT-run international partnerships, the ICCT seconded a researcher to the regulations team within the UK’s Department for Transport to assist with the development of their ZEV mandate policy. ICCT research on environmental and economic impacts of ZEVs was used to justify an ambitious rule, with ICCT research cited throughout the cost benefit analysis. The secondee was responsible for designing key provisions of the regulation and developing compliance models to rapidly assess tradeoffs of different provisions. The resulting policy is the most ambitious among any market of its size or any auto-producing market. It led the United Kingdom to become the largest EV market in Europe in 2024, defying the trend of declining sales in the European Union.

Pioneering analysis on methane emissions from LNG-fueled ships

In 2024, ICCT published the novel report, “FUMES: Characterizing Methane Emissions from LNG-Fueled Ships Using Drones, Helicopters, and On-Board Measurements.” FUMES is a collaboration between the ICCT, Explicit ApS, and the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research. This research utilized novel drone, helicopter, and onboard measurement techniques to map methane emissions from LNG-fueled ships. FUMES plans to issue a follow-up study to further inform the understanding of the full scope of emissions from shipping.

The ICCT supports India’s fiscal incentive scheme for EV production

In September 2024, the Government of India launched the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement scheme, a rebranded version of the FAME III initiative. This US$1.31 billion program aims to provide financial incentives across various EV segments. Because of the ICCT’s work, the scheme includes e-trucks, with an initial allocation of US$50 million for e-truck pilot projects. The ICCT also played a crucial role in advising the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) taskforce, facilitating the incorporation of e-trucks into the scheme.