Publication Date: February, 2025
Developed under the UK’s High Volume Transport Applied Research Programme, the Transport Decarbonisation Index (TDI) provides a comprehensive framework designed specifically to benchmark the sustainability and decarbonisation readiness of surface transport systems in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The TDI enables countries to align their transport sectors with global climate commitments, notably the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals.
This journal article was released in the MDPI’s journal “sustainability’, summarising the approach and key findings of the TDI and presents them to the academic community.
The TDI employs an indicator-based methodology structured around eight transport dimensions, validated through a pilot phase involving 12 countries. Policymakers and advocacy groups are encouraged to leverage the TDI results to identify priority areas for intervention, mobilise finance, improve data collection, and strengthen institutional capacity. By highlighting actionable areas, this publication aims to support strategic advocacy efforts toward achieving sustainable, low-carbon transport systems.
Key findings:
- Most pilot countries scored well on emissions due to relatively low baseline transport emissions, yet showed substantial room for improvement in public transport infrastructure and vehicle electrification.
- Significant data gaps, especially in freight transport and informal transport services, require urgent attention to support accurate benchmarking and policy-making.
- Low levels of low-cost finance for sustainable transport suggest a critical need for increased international development support.
- Road safety and air quality emerged as key areas for immediate policy interventions.
- Robust governance frameworks, including ambitious transport-specific climate targets, are essential for advancing sustainability in the sector.
The TDI project is part of the High Volume Transport (HVT) research programme funded by UK Aid from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The project is implemented by the HVT consortium partners: SLOCAT, Urban Electric Mobility Initiative (UEMI) and experts Lewis Fulton, Pierpaolo Cazzola and Jacob Teter.
Related to:
This publication is connected to the SLOCAT activities:
