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Building back better passenger transport in Asian cities after COVID-19
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted passenger transport in Asian cities. It is accelerating the growth of private car and motorbike use and diminishing the viability of public transport as the backbone of sustainable urban development across Asia in the long run. Yet the pandemic also offers opportunities to reconsider transport planning and work towards greater environmental sustainability, social inclusivity and resilience in transport across Asian cities. This policy brief summarises ways in which these goals can be realised. It distinguishes between short-term interventions to be implemented until the pandemic is officially declared over, and longer-term initiatives which will help to achieve those goals in the two subsequent decades. Particular emphasis is placed on combining different kinds of intervention into comprehensive packages, on action across multiple policy domains beyond transport alone, on involving all relevant stakeholders in carefully designed participatory governance processes, and on tailoring the recommendations to local circumstances in a given city
SDG 15 : Life on land : protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
No full textThe overall progress on life on land is slow in Asia and the Pacific. Seven targets are currently measurable, and the region is likely to achieve only one of them (Official Development Assistance for biodiversity). Current trends in forest and biodiversity losses need to be reversed, because they are forecast to worsen in most countries in the region by 2030. To achieve its commitments to the 2030 Agenda, Asia and the Pacific must also increase its protection of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems and improve forest management and the conservation of mountain ecosystems. Wildlife and ecosystem conservation is vital to prevent future pandemics and the transfer of diseases from animals to humans. The 2018 Intergovernmental Science Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Asia-Pacific Regional Assessment states that “Direct drivers, such as unsustainable use, illegal trade in wildlife, conversion of habitats, invasive alien species, pollution and climate change, are combining with indirect drivers such as socioeconomic and demographic changes to create stress and risks to ecosystems, threatening livelihoods and food security for millions of people. Climate change will exacerbate these impacts, especially among indigenous and vulnerable communities.” Rural livelihoods are intimately connected with and negatively affected by the deteriorating health of terrestrial ecosystems. Similarly, women, who depend disproportionately on natural resources given their limited ownership of land and other productive assets, are more affected by the loss of forest land and other terrestrial ecosystems. Moreover, as evidenced by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, adverse impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems are also accompanied by increased health risks such as zoonotic diseases as the potential for people-wildlife and livestock-wildlife interactions are intensified. Lastly, a key challenge identified in the United Nations Economic and Social Commission on Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) multi-stakeholder 2021 survey was the need to ensure engagement of communities and indigenous peoples in biodiversity conservation and protection
Mapping existing solutions and best practices on sustainable cooling : scoping review
No full textThis report was developed by the Energy Division of ESCAP under the overall direction and guidance of Hongpeng Liu, Director of the Energy Division, and Michael Williamson, Section Chief of the Energy Division, in collaboration with the research team of the Murdoch University. The authors of this review include Tania Urmee, Julian Hernandez-Manrique, Darryl Fitzgerald, Ksenia Petrichenko, Kanagaraj Ganesan, Olivia Baldy, and Mona Onstad. The cover and design layout were created by Xiao Dong and Siqi Li.This scoping review is intended to map the issues and best practices related to cooling technologies for space cooling in buildings, cold chain (healthcare and food), mobile air-conditioning (only transport) and access to cooling. It identifies the most recurrent problems, barriers and solutions for sustainable cooling in different sectors involving cooling and access to cooling. The review summarises findings from 192 peer reviewed papers, reports, and unpublished documents of which, 11% mentioned access to cooling, 21% cold chain-healthcare, 18% cold chain-food, 8% mobile cooling, and 78% space cooling (some of these documents mentioned more than one sector).The review includes studies using experimental, simulated or quasi-experimental designs to provide an understanding for each cooling sector and its current status. Included studies were the range of cooling technologies and policies available in different cooling sectors, issues related to cooling technologies, emissions from cooling technologies, and best practices in cooling technologies and policies. This study examined similar reviews that provide guidance for developing best practice recommendations for the implementation of sustainable cooling strategies
Evaluation of the Project on Closing the Loop: Scaling up Innovation to Tackle Marine Plastic Pollution in ASEAN Cities
No full textCommissioned by Environment and Development Division, UNESCAPIn response to the growing problem of plastic leakage in the marine environment, “Closing the Loop: Scaling up Innovation to Tackle Marine Plastic Pollution in ASEAN Cities project”, funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) was launched in May 2020. The overall objective of the Closing the Loop (CTL) project was to ‘reduce the environmental impact of ASEAN cities by addressing plastic waste pollution and leakages into the marine environment’ by using latest technologies, such as Satellite imaging, drones, and AI etc. With a budget of USD 1.18 million, the project focused its work in four cities of ASEAN countries: including Da Nang City, Viet Nam; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand; and Surabaya, Indonesia.List of Tables ........................................................................................................................................... ii
Acknowledgements................................................................................................................................ iii
List of Acronyms..................................................................................................................................... iv
Executive Summary................................................................................................................................ vi
Introduction......................................................................................................................................1
Description of the Project ................................................................................................................2
2.1 Background.................................................................................................................................2
2.2 Project Objectives and Expected Accomplishments/Results.....................................................3
2.3 Project Strategies and Key Activities..........................................................................................4
2.4 Beneficiaries and Target Countries ............................................................................................5
2.5 Key Partners and Other Key Stakeholders .................................................................................5
Evaluation Objectives, Scope, and Questions..................................................................................6
3.1 Purpose and Objectives..............................................................................................................6
3.2 Evaluation Scope, Criteria, and Questions.................................................................................6
Methodology ....................................................................................................................................8
4.1 Desk Research ............................................................................................................................8
4.2 Primary Research........................................................................................................................8
4.3 Human Rights and Gender Mainstreaming................................................................................9
4.4 Ethical Concerns.........................................................................................................................9
4.5 Evaluation Limitations................................................................................................................9
Evaluation Findings.........................................................................................................................10
5.1 Effectiveness............................................................................................................................10
5.2 Relevance.................................................................................................................................12
5.3 Efficiency..................................................................................................................................14
5.3.1 Project Management and Partnerships..........................................................................14
5.3.2 M&E and Financial Management....................................................................................15
5.4 Sustainability ............................................................................................................................15
5.5 Gender and Human Rights Mainstreaming .............................................................................17
Conclusions.....................................................................................................................................18
Lessons Learned/Good Practices....................................................................................................19
Recommendations..........................................................................................................................20
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Asia-Pacific report on population ageing 2022 : trends, policies and good practices regarding older persons and population ageing
No full textThis report provides an overview of levels and trends in population ageing and the situation of older persons in Asia and the Pacific. It also provides an overview of policies and good practices on population ageing from across the region.
The report is being published following the Asia-Pacific Intergovernmental Meeting on the Fourth Review and Appraisal of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, convened from 29 June to 1 July 2022. The report draws together different documents prepared for the review and appraisal process, including voluntary national survey responses by ESCAP members and associate members, summaries of consultations with non-government stakeholders, and the report and outcome document adopted at the intergovernmental meeting.
The report is structured along the three priority directions of the Madrid Plan of Action: (a) older persons and development; (b) advancing health and well-being into old age; and (c) ensuring enabling and supportive environments. Moreover, there is a chapter on data and research and the final chapter contains conclusions and recommendations. Gender considerations and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on older persons are mainstreamed throughout the report. Issues concerning the nexus between older persons and the effects of climate change and disasters are also addressed.
The report combines qualitative and quantitative analysis at national, subregional and regional levels which is highly relevant to policymakers, academics, United Nations entities and civil society organizations.
The official outcome document of the aforementioned Asia-Pacific Intergovernmental Meeting is reproduced at the end of the report
Transport and Communications Bulletin for Asia and the Pacific, no. 92 : Environmental Sustainability of Transport Systems
No full textThe Transport and Communication Bulletin for Asia and the Pacific is a peer-reviewed journal that is published once a year by the Transport Division of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). The Bulletin is a medium in which knowledge, experience, ideas, policy options and information on the development of transport infrastructure and services in the Asia-Pacific region are shared. The main objectives are to stimulate policy-oriented research and to increase awareness on the policy issues and responses of the transport industry. The Bulletin attempts to widen and deepen the debate on various topics of interest and concern in the transport sector. For the 92nd issue, the Bulletin focuses on the theme of “Environmental Sustainability of Transport Systems”.
Passenger and freight volume is expected to increase by over 100 per cent between 2015 and 2050 in Asia and the Pacific due to continuous economic development, population growth and motorization. As a result, its environmental impact, including local and global pollution, will be significant over the next few decades. Transport sector accounts for 25 per cent of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fuel consumption, while road transport alone is responsible for 75 per cent of total emissions. As a key emitting sector that is still heavily dependent upon fossil fuels, the transport sector plays a critical role in reducing global climate change impact and to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
Asia is leading in many fronts towards environmental sustainability and decarbonization of transport such as the adoption of low carbon transport strategies; development of mass transit systems in cities; shift to renewable energy resources, including the transition towards electric mobility, and prioritizing active mobility. However, the pace is not fast enough to decarbonize transport by mid-century as committed by many countries. Therefore, transport policy makers, planners and stakeholders from the region need to accelerate actions in the transport sector to further enhance the environmental sustainability of transport systems.
The adoption of a low-carbon development path, use of renewable and alternate energy, development of mass public transport system, prioritization of electric and active mobility, and enhancement of efficiency of transport operations are some of the policies reflected in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of Asia-Pacific countries. Analysis of transport systems using the Avoid-Shift-Improve framework can offer some policy insights towards environmental sustainability, especially for urban passenger transport. As countries in Asia and the Pacific are subject to increasing extreme weather conditions, raising sea level and other climate change impact, the resiliency and adaptation of transport infrastructure, systems and services will also need to be better understood and support by appropriate policy frameworks.
Each of the six papers selected for this issue contribute to different aspects and novel perspectives on the theme of “Environmental Sustainability of Transport”. They present various approaches and case studies from the region and beyond in addressing the environmental challenges of transport in Asia and the Pacific.
The first article by Miole, Joshi and Mohanty examined the policy guidelines and frameworks that would be necessary to increase the resilience of Asian cities through more robust transport systems. The linkages between sustainable and resilient transport were discussed supported by case studies from Japan, China, Singapore, and the Philippines. The authors also argued for a greater need to integrate transport resilience into the Sustainable Development Agenda, especially to better prepare countries for disruptive changes due to climate change, disasters and pandemics.
The second article by Sinha and Gupta presented the impact of mobility applications on transport mode in Delhi, India. Through a latent class cluster analysis of mobility application users, the authors observed different types of user groups and their characteristics, including those with a very high dependence on public transit and intermediate public transportation, a very low dependence on private vehicles, and no usage of taxis or app-based taxis. The characteristics of users who extensively rely on various modes of mobility or depend more significantly on private automobiles were also observed to better understand the implementation of effective sustainable transport policies that could affect transport mode choices.
The third article by Turbaningsih, Nisa, Mutaharah and Imron is focused on the development of green port strategies that can support sustainable maritime transport in emerging countries in Asia, including China, India and Indonesia. The importance of financial feasibility was highlighted, as well as the matching of green port strategy with port capacity and demand. Specific policy recommendations for port operators and countries were also derived from the research analysis.
The fourth article by Kant, Sinha and Gupta demonstrated the impact of off-hour freight strategy on the distribution of urban freight in Jaipur, India. This paper applied an agent-based modelling and simulation framework to evaluate stakeholder’s behavior and to examine how fleet utilization, vehicle kilometers traveled, and total deliveries made could be affected by off-hour freight strategy. Urban freight policies that can improve the efficiency of freight deliveries will ultimately improve the sustainability of the system.
The fifth article by Fukuda, Tsumita, Wahyulinata, KikuchiI, and Schreiner analyzed activity patterns in Jakarta, Indonesia, to understand the impact of teleworking on transport demand and CO2 emissions. Policy insights were developed for the implementation of a teleworking policy that can reduce congestion and CO2 emissions through changes in activity patterns, traffic flows, mode share, and vehicle kilometer traveled.
The final article by Rosandi and Chatterjee assessed the involvement of non-state actors in the development and implementation of sustainable transport policy in the Mekong countries, within the scope of global policy making, governance and institutionalism processes. This article examined policies that are developed collaboratively, between state and non-state, national and regional actors, as well as the roles played by various non-state actors in achieving sustainable transport. Non-state actors have the potential to increase the sustainability of the sector through collaborative governance.
The editor is grateful to all internal and external reviewers who have contributed to the review process in preparation of the Bulletin.</p
Infrastructure financing in Kazakhstan
Get PDFThis study assesses the landscape of Kazakhstan’s infrastructure financing. It starts with an analysis of the investment needs in the various sectors of infrastructure. It then proceeds with an assessment of the financing sources available to Kazakhstan in addressing these investment needs. Following an analysis of the challenges in developing infrastructure in Kazakhstan, the paper outlines the opportunities and modalities to expanding infrastructure finance and offers recommendations to unlock them.</p
Financing a sustainable recovery from COVID-19 and beyond
Get PDFThe Asia-Pacific Countries with Special Needs Development Report 2022 highlights the significant financing needs and gaps that least developed countries (LDCs), landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) and small island developing States (SIDS) face in their recovery efforts from the COVID-19 pandemic and in the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Report also examines policy options to mobilize financial resources in these countries for that purpose.
Collectively referred to as countries with special needs, these groups of countries were not on track to achieve the seventeen SDGs even before the COVID-19 outbreak. The prospects to do so have worsened due to the severe economic and social impacts of the pandemic. Moreover, the pre-existing financing gaps to attain the SDGs have increased significantly since the COVID-19 outbreak, owing to a combination of a decline in government revenue and expanded fiscal and monetary stimulus measures deployed to cushion its adverse impacts. Securing financing resources to recover from the pandemic in a way that is also aligned with the 2030 Agenda is therefore an urgent task for these countries.
This Report highlights that domestic tax revenue, debt and official development assistance will continue to be the main sources of development financing in many of these countries. Innovative instruments and mechanisms, such as thematic bonds and debt-for-climate swaps, also have the potential to finance sustainable development projects in these countries. As capacity, policy and regulatory gaps, as well as limited engagement and coordination with stakeholders, continue to be constraints in these countries, strengthened cooperation at the subregional, regional and global levels is essential to support these countries to complement their domestic efforts in mobilizing financing for development.</p
Policy guidebook for MSME development in Asia and the Pacific, 2nd edition
Get PDFMicro, small, and medium enterprise make up most of the businesses (by number of firms) in the countries of the Asia-Pacific region. In many of ESCAP’s Member States, there are specific entities that focus on MSME policy, but the diverse nature of MSMEs and their contribution to many different sectors of the economy can make coherent policymaking into a challenge. ESCAP’s previous edition of the Policy Guidebook set out with clarity the various considerations of policy that are specific to smaller businesses, and even now proves a useful guide.
Since the publication of the first edition of the Guidebook, however, new concerns around making policy for MSMEs have been coming to the fore. Questions about the environmental sustainability of MSMEs, about their contributions to social and gender issues, and indeed their relationship to all the Sustainable Development Goals are now part of the policy conversation. To reflect these ideas, ESCAP has produced a new version: the Policy Guidebook for MSME Development in Asia and the Pacific (2nd edition).
As well as robust discussion on the contribution of MSMEs to sustainable development, social inclusion and sustainability, this new version of the Guidebook also covers the more usual issues of MSME development such as finance, competitiveness, and trade and investment. This volume also collects policy examples and case studies of MSME from up-to-date, publicly available sources around the region. The Guidebook should serve as a concise overview of the various considerations that policymakers must understand as they design policies for the improvement of the business environment in their countries</p
Evaluation of the ESCAP Subprogramme on subregional activities for development
Get PDFCommissioned by Subregional Offices, ESCAPThe purpose of this review is to provide ESCAP with information to help make strategic decisions regarding programme direction and possible future programming for SROs and subregional activities. The evaluation covers the period (2016-2021). The evaluation was structured around progress in achieving targeted SRO objectives and focuses on learning from past experiences to provide forward-looking recommendations to strengthen SRO performance. Acknowledgments........................................................................................................... ii
List of Acronyms............................................................................................................. iii
Executive summary ......................................................................................................... v
Introduction ...........................................................................................................................1
Purpose and scope.................................................................................................................1
Background: ESCAP................................................................................................................1
Object and Context of Evaluation ..........................................................................................3
Methodology..........................................................................................................................4
Evaluation Team.....................................................................................................................4
Why the evaluation now? ......................................................................................................4
Review Implementation Stages .............................................................................................4
Evaluation Scope and Criteria ................................................................................................6
Evaluating SRO Results...........................................................................................................6
Limitations..............................................................................................................................7
Outputs Delivered..................................................................................................................7
Findings..................................................................................................................................8
General...................................................................................................................................8
Context: A Region of Diverse Stakeholders and Interest Groups......................................8
Internal institutional challenges impacting on SRO operations and cooperation.............9
Knowledge products, Information Sharing and Communications...................................11
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) ....................................................................11
COVID Impacts: Challenges and opportunity..................................................................12
External Institutional Challenges .....................................................................................12
Gender mainstreaming ....................................................................................................14
Performance Assessment.....................................................................................................15
Impact ..............................................................................................................................15
Relevance.........................................................................................................................16
Effectiveness....................................................................................................................17
Efficiency ..........................................................................................................................18
Gender mainstreaming ....................................................................................................20
Conclusions ..........................................................................................................................22
Key Conclusions....................................................................................................................22
Lessons learnt ......................................................................................................................24
Recommendations...............................................................................................................26
Key Recommendation 1: Sharpen focus of SROs’ mandate ...............................................26
Key Recommendation 2: Raise ESCAP/SRO visibility in subregions.....................................26
Key Recommendation 3: Reinforce Results Based Strategic Planning ................................28
Key Recommendation 4: Rationalizing resources and budgets...........................................29
Key Recommendation 5: Strengthen SRO capacity including in gender mainstreaming ....29</p