Transforming Transport in Asia: Innovations and Insights for a Low-Carbon Future

Aiming to chart a sustainable path for transportation towards zero emissions by mid-century and ensuring climate action and prosperity, the NDC Transport Initiative for Asia (NDC TIA) convened the regional conference ‘Low-Carbon Prosperity in Progress: Transforming Transport in Asia’ in Bangkok, Thailand from 25 to 28 June 2024. Key strategies such as China’s pioneering emission standards for zero-emission trucks, India’s innovative multi-stakeholder approach to EV deployment, and Vietnam’s ambitious e-mobility plan for Ho Chi Minh City took center stage. The event underscored the importance of early investments, stakeholder engagement, and policy innovation in achieving zero-emission transport across Asia, while highlighting the necessity of inclusive, gender-responsive transport systems and integrated transport and energy policies.

To avoid even worse climate impacts on transport and societies, it is imperative that we decarbonise our transport systems by mid-century to secure the prosperity of our nations.

Hans-Ulrich Südbeck, Deputy Chief of Mission of the German Embassy in Bangkok

130 Participants on the path to sustainable transport in Asia

Organised by the NDC Transport Initiative for Asia (NDC TIA), the event spanned 3 conference and workshop days and 1 site visit day, all in a face-to-face format. It featured 22 sessions, including 6 workshops, with around 60 speakers and a total of about 130 participants.

With 59 female (45%), 1 non-binary (1%) and 70 male (54%) participants, representatives from 15 countries, including Thailand, India, Vietnam, China, Philippines, Indonesia and others, shared insights and fostered collaboration, highlighting global efforts towards sustainable transport solutions.

Notable speakers were, among others, Hans-Ulrich Südbeck, Deputy Chief of Mission from the German Embassy, Dr. Punya Chupanit, Director General of Thailand’s Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP), and Pornphrom Vikitsreth, Adviser to Governor of Bangkok and Chief Sustainability Officer from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). In their opening speeches and inspirational talks they discussed initiatives to decentralise infrastructure and enhance walkability. Keynote speaker Kalpana Viswanath, CEO from Safetipin, emphasized the need for efficient and inclusive transport systems. Sessions on climate finance addressed challenges faced by small and medium transport businesses, advocating for redirecting fossil fuel subsidies towards climate solutions. Furthermore, three reports were launched during the conference:

• A Pathway to Zero-Emission Trucking in India: Setting the Framework
• Global Futures Report: Renewables for Sustainable Transport (GFR)
• EV Samvaad: India’s Electric Mobility Initiatives, 2023-24

For a more detailed report of the conference and daily updates, please click here and for the pictures of the event, here.

A transport system can only truly be sustainable when it works for the most vulnerable.

Nicole Anne Cobarrubias, Policy and Research Lead at Move as One Coalition

Future directions and collaborative efforts

The conference concluded with a clear focus on leveraging the next round of NDCs, setting ambitious transport and energy targets, and fostering regional standards for electric mobility. The collaborative spirit and actionable insights shared at the event set a promising trajectory for sustainable and inclusive transport systems across Asia. This momentum will be crucial as the region continues to navigate the path towards decarbonisation, ensuring climate action and prosperity for future generations. Moving forward, the insights and strategies discussed at the conference will guide efforts to achieve these goals, marking a significant step towards a greener and more sustainable future.

Watch the recap

NDC Transport Initiative for Asia (NDC-TIA) is part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI). The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) supports this initiative on the basis of a decision adopted by the German Bundestag. It supports China, India, and Viet Nam as well as regional and global decarbonisation strategies to increase the ambition around low-carbon transport. For more information on the project, please visit: https://www.ndctransportinitiativeforasia.org/.