Publication Date: March 2024
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.
The publication aims to consolidate knowledge for the creation of a methodology for the TDI. This index will support policymakers in identifying gaps, designing emission reduction strategies, and tracking progress in decarbonising surface transport, ultimately helping countries align with global net-zero targets.
Key messages:
- Surface transport accounts for 88% of global transport GHG emissions, with road transport being the largest contributor. LMICs face rapidly rising emissions, making decarbonisation urgent.
- A robust TDI can serve as a decision-making tool to assess readiness, actions, and progress toward low-carbon transport, tailored to data-scarce LMIC contexts.
- Stakeholder engagement, clear definitions, and a theory-driven rather than purely data-driven approach are critical to the credibility and usability of the TDI.
- Existing transport-related indexes often overlook LMIC needs; this report maps over a dozen relevant indexes and proposes a tailored framework incorporating equity, inclusion, and just transition.
- Development of the TDI must prioritise open data access, methodological transparency, and policy relevance to drive actionable insights.
Based on a bibliometric review and comparative analysis of existing transport and sustainability indexes, the report suggests a multiphase, iterative methodology for index construction, including defining objectives, selecting context-appropriate indicators, and engaging stakeholders throughout. This foundation is complemented by a broad review of decarbonisation pathways, mitigation measures in national climate plans, and data platforms.
