7. The secretariat introduced GRPE-89-05 and reported about relevant items discussed during the 189th sessions of the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29). He referred to ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1171 for further details.

8. The GRPE secretary also introduced highlights from the last session of the Inland Transport Committee, where ITC requested feedback and inputs from working parties on the draft outline for a forthcoming ITC climate change mitigation strategy (GRPE-89-06). He finally introduced the activities already performed in the recent past by GRPE on the topic (GRPE-89-28). The Chair added climate change mitigation is a key topic for GRPE and highlighted the need to deliver on the ITC request. He proposed to create an informal task force to draft the GRPE contribution to the ITC climate change mitigation strategy outline as well as the biennial report.

9. The representative of OICA, not speaking on behalf of the organization, gave reflections at the technical level, where GRPE has a strong pedigree, and he encouraged brainstorming on the potential to separate consideration of air quality and GHG topics, which is often tackled differently in different jurisdictions.

10. The representative of CLEPA said that climate change mitigation considerations needed to move towards overall lifecycle assessment, beyond tailpipe and use phase only. He noted that a more holistic view would also be needed to also include corporate level engagement, cross border adjustment mechanisms and other trade issues. He said air quality was the key topic in the seventies, and lifecycle assessments (LCA) represented the new future framework for international regulatory framework.

11. The representative of the United States of America clarified that if a LCA methodology is developed, all lifecycle phases (extraction, production, use and dismantling) should be included to inform rule making appropriately.

12. The representative of Germany agreed climate change mitigation was an important challenge, and that he was looking forward to seeing the development of the LCA activities undertaken by GPRE and the IWG on A-LCA.

13. The secretariat introduced GPRE-89-39 on draft ideas to be considered as part of the inputs to the ITC climate change mitigation strategy, that could serve as a basis for further reflection.

14. The representative of the US wondered if fuel economy considerations should also include energy efficiency for other types of powertrains. The secretariat confirmed indeed energy efficiency would be a more appropriate term.

15. The Chair proposed the creation of a GRPE informal task force on ITC climate change mitigation strategy and invited stakeholders to inform the secretariat about their willingness to contribute and participate. GRPE agreed to the creation of such task force to deliver on the ITC requests to contribute to the ITC climate mitigation strategy.

16. The representative of IMMA stated their commitment to contribute to the new task force proposed by the Chair. He hoped that the ambitious strategy document would include an explanation of the realities in the different regions with a technology neutral and multi-pathway approach towards carbon neutrality. The multi pathway approach should support progressive improvements and ensure affordability of the decarbonization strategies.

17. The Chair briefly explained the next steps and the planning of the GRPE informal task force on ITC climate change mitigation strategy and informed GRPE would have the chance to comment of the draft proposal from the task force over a written procedure to be launched before the summer break.