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The study assesses the potential for China's road transport sector to peak greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and petroleum demand, estimating that emissions could be reduced by 50-95% by 2060 compared to 2020 levels. It highlights that freight transport requires more significant emission reductions than passenger transport, specifically a cumulative 19,367 million tonnes of CO2eq from 2020 to 2060. The research identifies vehicle electrification, structural changes, and fuel efficiency as critical drivers, with total low-carbon investment needs estimated between CNY 39-83 trillion through 2060.

This report by the World Resources Institute (WRI) outlines a strategic pathway for China to achieve deep decarbonization by 2050, focusing on the critical transition period of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025). It argues that adopting a 'Strengthened Ambition Scenario' (SAS) can lead to significant economic and social benefits, including a net social gain of 6.5 trillion yuan in 2050 and the avoidance of 1.89 million premature deaths annually by that year. The report emphasizes the role of key economic regions—the Yangtze River Delta, Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area—in leading the national transition by peaking emissions early.