ITF experts are working hard to help decarbonise Indian transport. Carl Adler reports on the challenges of managing the ITF’s activities in India and aspects of this work that allow for deep collaboration and exchange.
Technology has given work a sort of flexibility previous generations could have only dreamt of. Many workers can conduct their jobs effectively from home. Additionally, projects can be completed by individuals working across many time zones and in completely different contexts. As is the case for many other ITF projects, the NDC-TIA project involves partners spread across multiple continents. The bulk of the project’s work is done remotely. Though this type of work has become more commonplace, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic, and, in theory, can allow for things to move smoothly and quickly, it does present challenges. Even though the remote nature of the NDC-TIA project’s work can be challenging, the project brings participants together for regular in-person events. This allows for deep discussion on decarbonisation topics and helps to raise awareness about NDC-TIA work among external stakeholders in various domains. These discussions among a diverse set of stakeholders can also result in more effective implementation of decarbonisation strategies, as researchers, policy makers, financing organisations and representatives of other entities can collaborate on solutions that work.
Working remotely to decarbonise transport
The ITF’s work on the NDC-TIA project focuses on India and most project partners are based in the South Asian nation – far from the ITF offices in Paris. Work must, therefore, take place at different times of day. There are only a few hours of the workday in which partners can meet with one another. This presents challenges, that if not managed, can delay the completion of deliverables. Sound project management and structure have been a way to get over this hurdle.
Over the course of the project, ITF’s team has worked hard to maintain regular meetings with consultants and NDC-TIA partners directly involved in the ITF’s work. These meetings ensure that work is getting done in a timely manner and that all project participants are fully aware of what has to be done.
The NDC-TIA’s India work also relies on larger, regular check-ins with GiZ and consortium members in order to take stock of all work being done as a part of the project, identify synergies, and provide feedback. NDC-TIA involves multiple partners and many diverse workstreams and check-ins are a helpful way to ensure that work does not overlap and is all done in pursuit of achieving the project’s goals.
In addition to maintaining regular and clear communication among project participants, the NDC-TIA project relies on regular in-person events to bring partners together. The ITF facilitated one such event in New Delhi at the beginning of 2023. This gathering allowed ITF experts to showcase ITF work that had been done as a part of the NDC-TIA project as well as the related Decarbonising Transport in Emerging Economies project. It also brought together Indian stakeholders involved in decarbonising transport to discuss how further collaboration and action can help make the transition to a zero-emission future a reality. Such events can draw high-level officials and provide a critical platform for dialogue.
Bringing people together: the power of events
Regular NDC-TIA events also give multiple stakeholders a venue in which to exchange on important topics. The ITF-hosted event, Decarbonising Transport in India: Analysis, Dialogue, and Action, held as a part of the Forum for Decarbonising Transport in New Delhi, for example, was attended by representatives of financing agencies such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and USAID. By attending NDC-TIA events, partner organisations and government officials can get an understanding of what these financing agencies are looking for when evaluating projects. This can be helpful in connecting projects with financing, getting projects off the ground and can contribute to quicker action on decarbonisation.
At the same event, other organisations showcased work they have done with different levels of governance in India. Members of UC Davis India ZEV Research Centre, for example, spoke about decarbonisation work they have done with Indian states. Experts from the Wuppertal Institut showcased actions they have helped to facilitate on the urban level. NDC-TIA events are a venue at which these projects can be shared and promoted, and also offer insights into how decarbonisation work must take place across multiple levels of government.
NDC-TIA events can also facilitate dialogue between academia, organisations and governments. In order to create its Life-cycle Assessment Tool for India, the ITF worked with Indian consultants and researchers who are affiliated with leading Indian research institutes. Having such experts as well as students present at the ITF’s event in New Delhi deepened conversations around decarbonisation. These individuals brought deep knowledge and a critical eye to discussions and helped create a space for lively debate around decarbonisation. NDC-TIA events also present an opportunity for students to participate. This aspect of events is both informative for students and gives governments and organisations an opportunity to get feedback from the next generation of transport professionals.
The India component of the NDC-TIA project has already produced valuable outputs which can greatly impact the country’s transport future. The project brings together experts with different perspectives to envision holistic solutions for decarbonising the country’s transport systems. However, all of this work and all of these outputs depend on clear and regular communication between project partners and consortium members. Without structured and frequent meetings, the project would not work. Decarbonising Indian transport is a monumental task and careful, attentive project management is critical. Finally, the NDC-TIA project’s regular in-person events allow for exchanges between stakeholders and help increase the effectiveness and reach of the project’s work. In-person events give representatives from a wide array of organisations and domains the chance to share cutting-edge work on how to decarbonise transport. Having this diverse set of participants also allows for research and action on decarbonisation to advance quickly. NDC-TIA events are a critical venue for dialogue that leads to work on how to decarbonise transport in the world’s most populous country.
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, sustainability and transport-related and manages digital content at the International Transport Forum.
Access the ITF’s Transport Life-cycle Assessment Tool for India
The 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.
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