Rethinking Transport and Climate Change

Abstract

As part of its lead role among multilateral development banks on transport and climate change, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), as assigned at the Gleneagles G8 Discussions on Climate Change in 2005, has prepared this document to rethink the roles and relationships of transport and climate change. Transport-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are expected to increase dramatically over the next 2 decades, and Asian countries—particularly the People’s Republic of China and India—will account for a substantial share of this growth. Transport infrastructure investments in the coming years will determine the pattern of transport-related CO2 emissions in Asia. It is crucial to find and implement sustainable pathways for transport for Asian countries. This report provides a review of emerging issues to address transport and climate change in developing Asia, and covers a range of themes: measurement of carbon in the transport sector; policies needed for low-carbon transport, co-benefits, innovative financing; and institutional frameworks needed to address transport and climate change.