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Electric mobility in public transport : a guidebook for Asia-Pacific Countries
No full textTransitioning to electric mobility in public transport is one of the policy options to reduce vehicle emissions in cities and dependence on fossil fuel for transport operations. Public transport is sometimes considered to be “low-hanging fruit” for EV adoption, for three key reasons: (i) public transport vehicles cover larger distances daily, so replacing them with EVs would lead to significant reductions in GHG emissions; (ii) public transport vehicles emit more GHG on a per vehicle basis, but lower on a per passenger basis than cars; and (iii) public transport is mostly under public regulatory control, creating space for government policy interventions to shape its development. There is thus a strong case for supporting EV adoption in public transport in countries in Asia and the Pacific.
While a strong international consensus exists on the prioritization of low-carbon modes of transport, actionable policy measures are still evolving. Even where identified, implementation is challenging for some countries, particularly those which lack the necessary expertise, technological know-how, and financial means.
This Guidebook offers frameworks, policy goals, strategies, and instruments to accelerate the adoption of EVs in public transport systems. This Guideline is the outcome of a collaboration between ESCAP and ESCAP member countries on implementation of the project on transition to electric mobility in public transport.</p
Southeast Asia-North and Central Asia transport corridors to support strengthening transport connectivity between the two subregions
Get PDFThis policy brief provides an overview of trade in freight flows in Southeast Asia and in North and Central Asia with a key focus on key post-pandemic macroeconomic factors. The policy brief then further explores transport linkages and opportunities that exist to foster connectivity between the two regions and concludes with a series of policy recommendations.</p
Gender, health and air pollution
Get PDFImpacts of air pollution on public health have been a matter of increasing research interest, however, gender-specific risk factors and outcomes remain comparatively under studied. Women suffer from inequalities in almost every facet of society and sector, and ESCAP undertook a study project to specifically look at the challenges ambient air pollution poses from a gender-aware approach.
The “Gender, Health and Air Pollution” working paper summarizes ESCAP’s preliminary findings on these topics, and highlights areas for further study, so that policy makers and stakeholders will be better able to take action to focus on the needs of this vulnerable population and highlight the suggested direction for future research and policymaking.</p
Overcoming challenges in Bangladesh's textile & garment sector : leveraging the LDC graduation to seize the growing Man-Made Fiber (MMF) market
Get PDFAs the world’s second-largest apparel exporter, Bangladesh’s ready-made garments (RMG) sector faces a challenge from the looming loss of its preferential treatment due to its imminent graduation from the least developing country (LDC) status. This policy brief argues that the current juncture presents Bangladesh with an opportunity to tap into the growing man-made fiber (MMF) market. This would allow a shift diversifying from the industry’s cotton-focused apparel production. Countries like China, India, and Viet Nam can serve as a benchmark as MMF-based apparel contributes a significant portion of their exports with a robust domestic raw materials procurement. To effectively integrate MMF production, local firms require substantial investments and production knowledge. Local firms could collaborate with overseas manufacturers to bring in the necessary finance and internalize management practices for MMF production. Taking this step necessitates fostering an equitable investment climate for both foreign and local firms.</p
Estimating illicit financial flows from trade mis-invoicing : introducing the ‘Grey Re-exports’ method (The case of Kyrgyzstan)
Get PDFThe priority of reducing Illicit Financial Flows has been established as part of development plans for many countries and in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by the General Assembly in 2015. UNCTAD and UNODC have developed methodological guidelines for countries to estimate illicit financial flows, including financial flows from trade misinvoicing.
The UNCTAD guideline includes two methods for calculating illicit financial flows from trade mis-invoicing, the Partner Country Method (PCM) and the Price Filter Method (PFM). This paper explores calculating illicit financial flows using a new, third method called the grey re-exports method. Grey re-exports refer to a scheme of misinvoicing which involves the importation and re-exportation of goods. Goods are imported to one country from another country and are then re-exported to a third country as exports from the second country rather than as re-exports. This scheme is seen in countries that have special trade agreements as part of a customs union.
This paper examines mis-invoicing for a trade route between countries with such an agreement; and aims to formally conceptualize grey re-exports. The re-exports are termed grey due to the illicit nature of reporting which generates grey re-exports. This paper provides estimates of illicit flows using the grey re-exports method and compares them to estimates using PCM and PFM. Results show that the grey re-export method is comparable to other methods. Therefore, this new method can be considered an additional method for measuring illicit financial flows from trade misinvoicing, for countries that have similar trade agreements or can otherwise take advantage of such trade flows.
Table of Contents
List of Figures
List of Tables
Abstract
Introduction
Illicit financial flows from trade: recommended estimation methods
The concept of grey re-exports
1 Theory development
Misreported re-exports
Unreported re-exports
2 Data sources
3 Grey re-exports: Model
4 Estimation of grey re-exports:
Estimation of grey re-export in Kyrgyzstan
1 Textile goods
2 Cigarettes containing tobacco
Results from other trade-related methods
Conclusion
References
Appendix: Acronyms
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Asia-Pacific trade and investment trends brief 2022/2023 : Malaysia
No full textThis brief covers recent trends and developments in trade and investment. It has been produced as an accompaniment to the Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Trends 2022/2023.</p
Strengthening social protection in Cambodia
Get PDFThe social protection online tool simulates the impact of social protection schemes and empowers policymakers with data. Start exploring at spot.unescap.org/simulator</p
2023 review of climate ambition in Asia and the Pacific : just transition towards regional net-zero climate resilient development
Get PDFClimate change and its impacts, such as extreme weather patterns and rising sea levels, are devastating and unprecedented. In the Asia-Pacific region, typhoons, floods, heatwaves and droughts, are resulting in human and economic losses that continue to undermine hard-won development gains across the region.
The sixth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Climate Change 2023: Synthesis Report, notes that adverse impacts from anthropogenic climate change will continue to intensify, and provides mitigation pathways to limit warming to 1.5°C particularly by rapidly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
This 2023 Review of Climate Ambition in Asia and the Pacific: Just transition towards regional net-zero climate resilient development, developed jointly by ESCAP, UNEP, UNFCCC/RCC Asia-Pacific, ILO, UN Women and UNIDO, and the members of the Issues-Based Coalition for Raising Climate Ambition of the Regional Collaboration Platform for Asia and the Pacific members, applies the Panel’s recommendations for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to the analysis and recommendations for Asia-Pacific member States to set more ambitious NDC commitments. The report also investigates opportunities to develop and apply just transition tools, policies and framework policies that will ensure society wide support and engagement in implementing low carbon and net zero economy-wide transition. Furthermore, in the analysis of the trends in ecosystems changes in the Asia-Pacific region, the report seeks to identify new and innovative approaches to both mitigation and adaptation, as well as to increase investments in the maintenance and restoration of terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems to leverage nature-based climate solutions.</p
Asia-Pacific trade and investment trends brief 2022/2023 : Iran (Islamic Republic of)
No full textThis brief covers recent trends and developments in trade and investment. It has been produced as an accompaniment to the Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Trends 2022/2023.</p
