The 16th Regional EST Forum took place on 9 December 2024, at the ADB Headquarters in Manila, Philippines. This year’s pre-event, titled “Enabling a 1.5°C Future: Strategies for Sustainable and Resilient Transport Systems,” aimed to address the pressing challenges of transport-related CO2 emissions in the Asia-Pacific region, which is currently the largest emitter globally. Organized by the Asia LEDS Partnership, SLOCAT Partnership, and the Global Climate Action Partnership (GCAP), the event gathered policymakers, experts, and stakeholders to explore actionable strategies for decarbonizing transport systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) within the region.

The session focused on fostering synergies between climate action and broader economic development goals. Participants engaged in discussions on scaling up clean public transport systems, unlocking climate finance, and accelerating low-carbon freight transport solutions. Key topics included the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), resilient charging infrastructure, and innovative financing models that could mobilize resources for sustainable transport projects.

A series of interactive sessions facilitated knowledge exchange on national policies and cross-sectoral implementation plans necessary for transforming transport systems. The agenda included discussions on regional trends and gap analyses of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), as well as insights from recent policy analyses by SLOCAT and the Asian Transport Outlook.

As 2025 approaches, which presents a critical opportunity for revising NDCs and enhancing international cooperation, this pre-event served as a platform for participants to share best practices and develop collaborative strategies that aligned with climate resilience and sustainability goals. The outcomes of these discussions are expected to contribute significantly to the ongoing efforts toward a net-zero future for transport in the Asia-Pacific region.

Link to the Forum: HERE

Link to the Concept Note: HERE

Link to the Presentation: HERE

Asia Leds Partniship, EST Forum, GCAP, Global Climate Action Partnership, Manila, NDC, Philippines, SLOCAT

Published and Verified by: ICLEI South Asia