Better Driving, Improved Fuel Efficiency
Driver-trainer Mohammad Haneef instructing Star Bus drivers on better driving and improved fuel efficiency
With input from Umang Jain
Mexico City Wins 2013 Sustainable Transport Award
New York, NY — The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP), together with an international committee of transportation and development experts, awarded Mexico City the 2013 Sustainable Transport Award for its Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, cycling and walking infrastructure, parking program, and revitalization of public space.
Established in 2005, the Sustainable Transport Award recognizes leadership and visionary achievements in sustainable transportation and urban livability, and is presented to a city each January for achievements in the preceding year.
ADB $275 million loan for “Green” Buses in People’s Republic of China
More public buses with lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions will soon be deployed on the roads of major cities in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) helps bus operators shift their fleets to cleaner fuel. ADB has earmarked $275 million for up to five top-tier financial leasing companies in PRC to finance leased buses that run on cleaner fuel – such as compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) – as well as electric and hybrid buses.
ADB Finances "Green" Buses in People's Republic of China
The ADB project is supporting the expansion of “green” bus services in the People’s Republic of China, an initiative that will benefit low-income commuters, improve air quality and reduce GHG emissions. The initiative is in line with the $175 billion commitment made at the June 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) by multilateral development banks to improve transport in developing countries between 2012 and 2022.
CEM Announces New Web Portal on Electric Vehicle Best Practices
The “World EV Cities and Ecosystems” web portal provides information on electric vehicle (EV) policies and best practices from 16 cities worldwide, and aims to increase cooperation and information exchange between policy makers and practitioners.
EEA Report Addresses End-User GHG Emissions From Energy
A new report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) allocates greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the energy sector, both direct and indirect, to energy users in order to understand demand-side trends driving energy-sector GHG emissions. The report found that 90% of the net increase in GHG emissions in the EU in 2010 was driven by energy production and consumption.
OAS Announces Recipients of ECPA's Sustainable Communities Grants
The Organization for American States (OAS) has announced the 14 recipients from ten Central American and Caribbean countries of US$50,000 grants from the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA) to non-governmental organizations, community associations and academic institutions for community-based projects in clean energy, disaster resilience, sustainable transport and waste management.
EEA Assesses Emissions Performance of Car Manufacturers
The European Environment Agency (EEA) has released a report, titled “CO2 emissions performance of car manufacturers in 2011,” which shows that most cars manufactured in Europe have achieved 2012 emission reduction standards, with around 3.3% greater efficiency than new cars registered the previous year. the efficiency gains are largely due to a growing proportion of diesel vehicles, and a decrease in average engine and vehicle size, rather than through the use of alternative fuels.
Ahmedabad and Guangzhou BRT recognized as UNFCCC lighthouse activities
Last week at the COP 18 in Doha nine new so called lighthouse projects were revealed in an award ceremony attended by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. We are proud that two SLoCaT members: ITDP and CEPT Ahmedabad were among the winners. The inclusion of the Guangzhou and Ahmedabad BRTs shows how BRT is coming of age.
ADB E-Trike Project to Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions in the Philippines
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is supporting a five-year project to replace 100,000 gasoline-burning tricycles with energy efficient electric tricycles, or E-Trikes, in Metro Manilla and urban centers in the Philippines. The E-Trike project will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 260,0000 tons annually and contribute to improved air quality. The project will also avoid US$100 million in fuel import costs, which will reduce dependency on foreign oil imports and increase driver income.