New guide supports countries' climate ambition for transport
The International Transport Forum at the OECD launches tool to ensure the next Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are ambitious, deliverable and investible by including action on transport
The “Guide to Integrating Transport into NDCs” is officially launched on COP29 Transport Day – 20 November 2024 - by Chile’s Minister of Transport and Telecommunications Juan Carlos Muñoz, at the COP29 Greening Urban Transport Ministerial as part of Chile’s ITF Presidency focus on NDCs.
The transport sector is a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for 23% of energy-related CO2 emissions. NDCs are the main tool for implementing the Paris Agreement, through which governments set out their emissions reduction targets and actions to decarbonise across their economy and adapt to climate impacts.
The third round of NDC submissions is due in February 2025, known as NDC 3.0. In these NDCs, governments will set out their ambitions and targets for emissions reductions and adaptation to climate impacts towards 2035 and respond to the outcomes of the first “Global Stocktake” – including actions to decarbonise transport.
While 98% of NDCs include a mention of transport, only 33% include an emissions reduction target for the transport sector. The new tool serves as guidance for governments on how they could feature transport in their NDC 3.0 submissions.
NDCs are, by their nature, nationally determined, and therefore, actions must align with different national circumstances, pathways and approaches as well as the Paris Agreement.
Setting out a comprehensive approach to decarbonising transport can help countries both enhance their overall NDC ambition and ensure their economy-wide targets are implemented. Through this, governments can also rationalise an increase in their NDC ambition by clearly outlining feasible and impactful policies. In turn, by setting out clear intentions on policy actions and investments needed to decarbonise, governments are bolstering their case to mobilise finance and secure funding and technical assistance to implement their ambitions.
The guide sets out a framework for governments to integrate transport and ensure their NDCs are ambitious, deliverable and investible. The guide sets out a six-step framework: (1) Target, (2) Vision, (3) Goals, (4) Measures, (5) Governance, Monitoring and Evaluation, and (6) Investment.
The launch marks the six-month point in the lead-up to the International Transport Forum 2025 Summit, taking place from 21 to 13 May 2025 in Leipzig, Germany. At the Summit, Ministers of Transport will assess the progress made in including transport in NDCs and discuss implementation of the commitments.
Download the “Guide to Integrating Transport into NDCs”
Contact:
Ronan Mac Erlaine
Digital Communications Manager
International Transport Forum at the OECD
T +33 (0)1 73 31 25 00
E comms@itf-oecd.org