TERI to Host High-Level Roundtable on Transport Decarbonisation Ahead of COP 30

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) is convening a strategic roundtable titled “Transport in Climate Action: National Priorities and Global Expectations for COP 30” to highlight the critical role of transport in global climate action. The discussion aims to align India’s national priorities with international expectations ahead of COP 30, focusing on equity, ambition, and finance to drive transport decarbonisation in developing countries.

The roundtable will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, financial institutions, and academia to explore pathways for sustainable mobility. The discussion builds on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Paris Agreement principles, recognizing historical differences between developed and developing countries and the importance of equity in climate action.

Globally, transport accounts for nearly one-fourth of CO₂ emissions and is the fastest-growing energy-related sector. TERI’s analysis of 157 countries shows that 72 have transport-specific climate targets, many conditional on international finance, technology transfer, and capacity-building, highlighting the need for global support in enabling low-carbon mobility in developing countries.

For India, which targets net-zero emissions by 2070, initiatives such as CAFE norms, FAME scheme, PM E-DRIVE, PM e-Bus Sewa, Ethanol Blending Programme, and Dedicated Freight Corridors are key steps toward decarbonising the transport sector.

Key objectives of the roundtable include:

• Promoting equity through CBDR: Explore how the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) can be applied within NDCs to balance sustainable mobility with economic growth while aligning domestic and global commitments.

• Assessing India’s progress and way forward: Review achievements in EV adoption, ethanol blending, and freight rail expansion, and identify future opportunities and challenges.

• Strengthening policy alignment: Discuss integrating transport actions with NDCs, carbon budgets, and monitoring systems for effective climate frameworks.

• Identifying financing pathways: Examine the role of public-private partnerships, multilateral development banks, and climate finance mechanisms in supporting a just and ambitious transition.

• Learning from global experiences: Analyze strategies from other countries to reduce transport emissions and evaluate their applicability in India.

TERI invites stakeholders to join this high-level roundtable on “Transport Decarbonisation: Equity and Action Ahead of COP30” to shape sustainable mobility and advance India’s climate goals.