A Pathway towards Decarbonized and
Cleaner Mobility in Asia and the Pacific

– Envisioning green possibilities of

public mobility

Date: April 30 ~ May 2, 2024

Background

The gravity of climate change and its tangible impacts have become increasingly evident, touching our lives in profound and deeply personal ways. In light of this, it is imperative that nations and private sectors expedite their efforts toward low-carbon transformations. According to UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Emission Gap Report 2023, aligning with a 1.5°C pathway necessitates a 42 percent reduction in 2030 global greenhouse gas (GHG) and achieving net zero emissions around 2050. However, recent data from the report indicates a 1.2 percent increase in GHG emissions, resulting in a record-setting 57.4 Gigatonnes of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent. Regrettably, the report warns that in the most hopeful scenario, the probability of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is only 14 percent.

Furthermore, as highlighted in the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report published in 2022, the transport sector is responsible for 15% of global emissions (road transport 10%) and 1.8% of annual emission growth during the period 2010-2019, which is the highest among sectors. Despite the urgent need for system transformation, the latest data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) World Energy Balances (2023) indicates that the sector continues to heavily rely on fossil fuels for approximately 91% of its final energy consumption.

Recognizing the transportation sector’s substantial contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, experts and global communities underscore the imperative for accelerated decarbonization efforts. Particularly concerning is the fact that more than two-thirds of transport-induced GHG emissions originate from road transport.  With respect to this, the IPCC and UNEP strongly advocate for decreasing the demand for road transport services that are reliant on fossil fuels and prioritizing the transition to low-emission modes.

Government officials from the Asia-Pacific, convened at the sustainable transport workshop in 2023 titled ‘A Pathway towards Decarbonized and Cleaner Mobility in Asia and the Pacific – Starting from the region’s key priorities’, identified carbon-intensive and inadequately serviced public transport as priority areas for action. Similarly, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) has emphasized the pivotal role of public mobility and the transition to low-emission public transport as one of their paradigm shifting pathways for the low emission transport sector.

In response to the growing imperative to envision the green possibilities for public mobility, UNITAR CIFAL Jeju is hosting a capacity-building workshop on decarbonized and cleaner public transportation in Asia and the Pacific from April 30 to May 2, 2024. This workshop, held in conjunction with the 11th International E-Mobility Expo* scheduled to take place in Jeju, Korea during the same week, aims to enhance the capacity of central and local government authorities from the Asia-Pacific region in adopting, improving, or transitioning to green public mobility within the broader context of transport system transformation, energy systems, and urban structures.

This intensive three-day workshop will facilitate knowledge acquisition and skill enhancement, involving participants in assessing the current status of public mobility, identifying challenges, and developing solution-oriented projects and action plans aligned with methodologies commonly utilized in international climate fund proposal procedures. In pursuit of constructive proceedings, the workshop’s lecture sessions during and following the 11th International E-Mobility Expo are designed to provide valuable insights into a range of topics. These include planning and programming strategies with a focus on policy approaches, urban planning and Non-Motorized Transport (NMT) approaches, funding and financing opportunities at domestic and international levels, emerging energy and technology trends and possible solutions for achieving decarbonized and cleaner public mobility.

*The 11th International E-Mobility Expo serves as a global platform for experts in green and electric mobility to showcase state-of-the-art technologies and foster knowledge sharing and networking among relevant stakeholders. Thus, participants at the workshop could also gain knowledge and hands-on experiences on e-mobility by attending seminars and exhibitions organized by the Expo in addition to accumulating insights and sharing best practices through the workshop.

Event Objectives

This capacity building training workshop will:

ž  Provide a learning and network platform for key stakeholders involved in the adoption, expansion and transition of integrated green and low-emission public mobility in the Asia-Pacific region;

ž  Assess the significance of system transformation in the transport sector and explore the positive climate and environmental impacts associated with green public mobility;

ž  Enable participants to evaluate the current state of public mobility in their respective countries and cities, identify challenges through analysis, formulate projects and action plans as solutions, and share best practices of Seoul Metropolitan city, Jeju Provincial Government and respective participants cities;

ž  Present core competency lectures to enhance participants’ essential capabilities, such as the ability to  localize best practices, define problems, and develop solutions in the form of projects using methodologies commonly used in international climate fund proposal procedures;

ž  Conduct lecture sessions on integrated green and energy-efficient public mobility planning and programming strategies to provide guidelines for strategic directions and policies to facilitate green transition of public mobility;  

ž  Deliver knowledge through sessions on technical measures that can support potential strategic directions for adopting, expanding and transitioning to decarbonized and cleaner public mobility, including urban planning, domestic & international financing and emerging energy & technology trends and options; 

ž  Provide opportunities to attend conferences and exhibitions at the 11th International E-Mobility Expo and to learn from a field trip, which could enhance application of  knowledge and skills acquired during the workshop.

Expected Outcomes

By the end of the training workshop, participants could:

ž  Expand their human network and acquire the knowledge necessary to engage in partnerships and collaboration with  key stakeholders across sectors and entities regarding the adoption, expansion and transition of integrated green and low-emission public mobility in the Asia-Pacific region;

ž  Gain a comprehensive understanding of the importance of system transformation within the transport sector and positive climate and environmental impacts associated with green public mobility;

ž  Conduct an assessment of current state of public transportation(or the transport sector in general) in their respective countries and cities, identifying issues through diagnosis, and developed solution projects and action plans tailored to local needs;

ž  Enhance core competencies, including the ability to localize best practices, define problems, and develop solutions in the form of projects using methodologies widely used in international climate fund proposal procedures;

ž  Gain insights from integrated green and energy-efficient public mobility planning and programming strategies, enabling them to develop and apply strategic directions and policies to guide the transition to green public mobility;

ž  Acquire knowledge on technical measures that can support potential strategic directions for adopting, expanding, and transitioning to decarbonized and cleaner public mobility, including urban planning, domestic & international financing and energy & technology trends and options; 

ž  Cultivate visions for green potential of public mobility and develop capacity to implement mobility within the context of a paradigm-shifting pathway towards decarbonized and cleaner mobility on an international, regional, and Asia-Pacific scale, following visits to conferences and exhibitions at the 11th International E-Mobility Expo and a field trip.

Organizers

UNITAR CIFAL Jeju / Jeju International Training Center

Venue

The event will be held offline at the International Convention Center & UNITAR CIFAL Jeju (Jeju International Training Center), located in Jeju-do, Republic of Korea, and will be attended by selected participants.

Participants

The workshop is designed to engage central and local government officials, representatives from civic groups and stakeholders from private sector and research institutes who are actively involved in promoting development, improvement, and advocacy of green and energy-efficient public transportation in developing nations across the Asia-Pacific region.

Certificate

ž  A Certificate of Completion will be issued jointly by UNITAR and UNITAR CIFAL Jeju

ž  Selected participants are required to complete the following to be eligible for the certificate:

-   submit assignments on time- e.g. Pre-Workshop Assignment (Diagnosis of Statusand Problem Analysis on their countries’ or cities’ Public Mobility) and Group/Individual Workshop Project Assignment

-     actively participatein the training program

-     attend all sessions

Methodology

The training will be comprised of: 

-          Lectures and presentations by experts 

-          Practical exercises and both group and individual activities

-          Case study presentations by participants (Status and challenges of public mobility in their respective countries and cities)

-          Consultations with experts regarding activity outcomes

-          Visit to 11th International E-Mobility Expo and field trip to a relevant site

Application and deadline

All applicants except those who are residing in Korea(Due April 7th, 2024) are kindly requested to submit the following documents to cifaljeju.jitc.env@gmail.com by Thursday March 28, 2024. :

Application form and a sample of Letter of nomination are included on this page, and late application will NOT be accepted.

Note

ž  Application without required documents will NOT be considered.

ž  Participation is subject to the approval of the application by UNITAR CIFAL Jeju/JITC.

ž  Selected applicants will be notified individually.

ž  It is the responsibility of selected participants to arrange for visa issuance and prepare all necessary requirements for entry to Jeju Island, Republic of Korea for attending the workshop.

ž  After confirmation of attendance from participants, applicants who are subsequently unable to attend the workshop will not be eligible for reimbursement of any fees incurred at their end (e.g. air ticket cancellation fee).

Assistance with travel expenses

UNITAR CIFAL Jeju/JITC provides LIMITED financial assistance with the airfare to Jeju-do, Republic of Korea, given that participants purchased an economy class with no personal options (ex. Extra leg room, extra check-in bags, etc.).

ž  All other expenses (local transportation in their country and Jeju, visa fee) including during arrival and departure days should be covered by the participants.    

For general information please contact: