Publication Date: January 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 publication provides a comprehensive overview of the TDI methodology, supporting policymakers with actionable diagnostics and guidance to decarbonise transport while promoting socio-economic growth. The methodology combines robust quantitative and qualitative indicators, allowing countries to self-assess their transport systems, benchmark against global pathways, and prioritise high-impact policies. Crucially, the TDI is intended not as a ranking tool but as a catalyst for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and informed decision-making.
Key messages:
- The TDI empowers LMICs to identify transport sector gaps and opportunities, enhancing transparency and trust with investors and partners.
- It delivers tailored, non-prescriptive policy advice to help countries fast-track transport decarbonisation while aligning with the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals.
- The index supports the mobilisation of financial and technical support by strengthening national policy coherence with global climate agendas.
- It enables countries to benchmark progress towards net-zero transport emissions by 2050, fostering evidence-based, time-sensitive decision-making.
- The TDI encourages inclusive stakeholder engagement, promoting ownership and practical use of the tool at national and regional levels.
The TDI methodology integrates indicator selection, data normalisation, equal weighting, and aggregation into a composite score across eight transport dimensions. It includes a user-friendly Excel toolkit, allowing independent application and policy guidance, especially for dimensions showing critical challenges. By using the TDI, countries can better leverage climate finance and align their transport strategies with global decarbonisation efforts.
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:
