Intervening in the Transport Sector

While the transport sector is responsible for more than 23% of global emissions, the share of transport sector projects within the Kyoto Protocol Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) remains well below 1%. This study shows that the CDM is not currently a viable or attractive financing mechanism for intervening in the transport sector. It also recognises that the CDM system was never designed to incorporate transport, and illustrates the incompatibility of the system with enabling sustainable mobility. The book reviews relevant mobility theory and the measures available to intervene in the transport sector. Based on interviews with one of the main designated operational entities (DOE) and the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Risø Centre, the book analyses the shortcomings of the CDM within the transport sector. Namely it points to the disproportional focus and stringent accuracy requirements for additionality, the low return on investments, and the generally bureaucratic nature of the CDM. It is suggested for the CDM to broaden its scope and to allow transport projects to reflect the complexity of the sector.

Yannick Cornet is a PhD fellow undertaking research on indicators of transition for national sustainable transport planning. MSc in environmental planning, Sunniva Sandbukt specialises on rising demand for mobility in a developing context. Morten Gravesen works with socio-technical systems planning, focusing on energy efficiency and transportation.