All Transport

The whole picture: A life-cycle approach to decarbonising Asian transport

As the race to decarbonise transport speeds up, Carl Adler reports from India on a new tool that helps make transport policies work where they matter most. It’s all about life-cycle…

Growing cities, surging demand for transport and intense motorisation are the hallmarks of the mobility landscape across much of Asia. With emissions set to rise and tangible effects of the climate emergency already being felt across the continent, decarbonising the transport sector is more urgent than ever.

Despite these difficult circumstances, countries are working to drop emissions. Intent on achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement on climate change, Asian nations are stepping up their actions to reduce emissions from transport through the revisions of their climate action plans, the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). The International Transport Forum (ITF) joins forces with the governments of China, India, and Viet Nam, as well as six other international organisations, to form the NDC Transport Initiative for Asia (NDC-TIA). The collective works to determine the policies and pathways that will make the most difference.

The three Asian countries are already well equipped to tackle the climate challenge as they have pre-existing transport decarbonisation strategies, which the joint project can build on.

The results are clear in India: decarbonisation policies must shift people from private cars to public transport

India’s transport sector accounts for 15% of the subcontinent’s emissions. Road transport makes up 90% of that. To address this urgent need in the race to net zero by 2070, ITF developed the first comprehensive, India-specific analysis of urban passenger transport emissions using a life-cycle perspective. The life-cycle assessment (LCA) approach offers insights into how different policy choices affect greenhouse gas emissions throughout vehicle and infrastructure development and use.

The results are clear: Indian cities must prioritise measures that shift private vehicle users to public transport. In addition, a transition to electric buses – preferably powered by 100% renewable energy – is needed. The LCA tool allows for analysis and understanding of emissions levels through all life cycle stages of transport services when taking public policy and investment decisions.

Bridging academia, industry and government: Life-cycle assessment at work

The tool was created with the support of Indian consultants and with the relevant authorities. Following a beta version presentation in New Delhi in early 2023, researchers and other stakeholders tested the tool in real-life policy scenarios. The detailed feedback is incorporated into the final tool, launching on 16 August.

Transport Policy Matters will publish three further blog posts covering this unique tool’s development, the technical aspects, and how researchers and policy makers can use the LCA tool to draft policies that lower carbon emissions in India.

The collaborative work on this project is a shining example of the cross-dimensional efforts we need to achieve our common climate goals. Combating climate change requires an “all hands on deck” approach to designing decarbonisation strategies based on sound research and data.

Join us to find out more about decarbonisation in India and how the LCA tool can make a difference where it matters! Register here to join the virtual launch event on 23 August.

The event includes:

  • Findings and recommendations
  • Relevance for Indian policy
  • Industry and carbon credits programmes
  • Takeaways for climate-oriented financing
  • Questions and answers session

Carl Adler graduated with a Master’s in governance from Sciences Po Paris’ Urban School in 2022. He has a keen interest in all things urban and transport-related and manages digital content at the International Transport Forum.

The NDC Transport Initiative for Asia (NDC-TIA) project is funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI). The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) supports the initiative based on a decision adopted by the German Bundestag. The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is responsible for co-ordinating the implementation of the Initiative.

Leave a comment