A new publication from the LEDS GP Transport Working Group summarises the key messages from a webinar series on implementing new fuel quality and vehicle emission standards in Asia.

The Asian region faces large projected increases in greenhouse gas emissions – and so efforts to embrace low emissions development take on new urgency. According to a recent study, in the Southeast Asia region 36% of the share of air pollution comes from traffic. Transport sector emissions are growing faster than those from any other sector, and have already had negative impacts on air quality, climate, health, and economic development. Advancing fuel quality and cutting vehicle emissions are key factors in mitigating pollution from the transport sector. With the increasing number of vehicles on the road, countries have identified cleaner fuels and relevant technologies with the aim of improving air quality and reducing emissions. In this publication, ‘Clearing the air – Supporting Asian countries to implement new fuel quality and vehicle emission standards‘, the Transport Working Group summarises the discussions in its webinar training series on reducing transport emissions in Asia.

Key messages 

• It is projected that Asia’s share of global transport CO₂ emissions will increase to 31% by 2030. Fuel quality and vehicle emission standards are central to improving air quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Fuel quality and vehicle emission policies need to be embedded in the broader ‘avoid– shift–improve’ framework to avoid trips, shift journeys to more efficient or lower emission modes, and improve vehicles and fuels.
• LEDS GP’s webinar training series ‘Supporting Asian countries to implement new fuel quality and vehicle emission standards’ provides tools for participants to make the case for the urgent need to advance fuel quality and vehicle emission policies; offers examples from other developing countries; and outlines the steps towards implementing these policies in Asia.

Download the publication here.

Photo: Simone D. McCourtie / World Bank