Creation of Green Transport Corridors in Asia and the Pacific
Following the launch of the ESCAP Regional Cooperation Mechanism on Low Carbon Transport in August 2022, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) has conducted a series of subregional consultation and capacity-building workshops to mobilise transport ministries and key stakeholders in the Asia-Pacific region to engage in the transport and climate change policy process and to help advance the goals of the Paris Agreement through transport strategies.
In each of these workshops, representatives from ESCAP member States shared their national low-carbon transport goals, policy priorities and implementation action, as well as their experience in the development of their Nationally Determined Contributions and long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategies.
Discussions have led to the emergence of several common areas of priority and needs across the Asia Pacific region. This regional meeting will focus on one of these common priorities, which is the creation of green transport corridors. This topic was identified by ESCAP member States for in-depth analysis and technical assistance due to existing gaps in the technical, institutional and financial support that they are currently experiencing in the transition to low- or zero-carbon transport.
The development and implementation of green freight transport policies have been identified as an important strategy for decarbonising the transport sector. However, this is a difficult challenge for the region due to the lack of regulations and fragmentation of stakeholders in many countries. Transport corridors that are green, integrated and efficient will also need to take into account the multimodal nature of supply chains, including land and maritime transport.
Green corridors refer to specific shipping routes where the feasibility of zero-emission shipping is catalysed by a combination of public and private actions. Such corridors also entail multimodal supply chains and alternatives for freight transport through economically relevant hubs and long-distance routes, as well as the integration of multiple transport modes, including highways, railways and waterways. In addition to the necessary technology, a prerequisite for green transport corridors is to put in place the relevant agreements and reciprocal recognition of standards between countries, so greater regional cooperation can play a critical role in their development and operation.
