Collaborative action and innovation to transform freight corridors in South America and Eastern Africa - [HDV-24-004]

Rationale

Both South America and Eastern Africa have large SLCP emission reduction potential from freight movement, with road transport alone accounting for an average of 85% of freight transported from 2019–2021 in Latin America (ECLAC, 2023), while the Africa Northern Corridor is the busiest corridor in Eastern Africa, handling over 30 million tons of cargo, with an annual growth rate of 10%. 

Over the last 15 years, along with GDP, the freight truck fleet in both regions has grown as the demand for freight transportation increases and is expected to more than double between 2015 and 2050, contributing further to transport emissions. 

The truck fleets in the regions are old and have low fuel efficiency and high emissions. In addition, heavy trucks stand out for their high CO2 emissions, and in 2015 Latin America contributed 28% of the road transport total, from approximately 2.5 million vehicles, each travelling around 50,000 kilometres per year (ECLAC, 2023). 

The regions also currently face data gaps – vehicle fleets, fuel consumption & efficiency, emissions and resulting environmental impacts hinders informed decision-making – as well as policy gaps, as well as a lack of capacity in both the government and private sector on vehicle efficiency, eco driving and clean technology.

This project aims to improve fuel efficiency and reduce particulate matter emissions of black carbon, NOX, and CO2, in line with country and regional priorities, from road freight corridors in South America and Eastern Africa. 

Objective

The objective of this project is to improve baseline data, identify policy gaps, and develop policies and strategies to reduce SLCP emissions along both corridors. Specifically the project seeks to:

• Increase the capacity of The Ministries of Transport,
  Environment and other key stakeholders within the countries of the Bi-Oceanic and Northern corridors to use a freight corridor SLCP emission accounting framework
• Enable government authorities and key stakeholders in the Bi-
  Oceanic Corridor to endorse a Green Freight Corridor approach to SLCP reduction
• Increase the capacity of relevant government authorities and key stakeholders in the Bi-Oceanic and Northern Corridor are capacitated in critical aspects of the Green Freight Corridor approach to SLCP mitigation
• Increase the Ministries of Transport and Environment of the countries in the Bi-Oceanic and Northern Corridor will to secure finance through the adoption of scaleable concepts for green freight activities and SLCP reductions

Activities

To achieve these objectives the project will:

• Develop an emission accounting framework for the Bi-Oceanic Corridor
• Develop a freight vehicle fleet and emissions database
  for the Bi-Oceanic Corridor
• Develop regional emission intensity factors for the Bi-
  Oceanic Corridor
• Develop a policy gap analysis is conducted for the Bi-
  Oceanic corridor countries and capacity development of government policymakers in Green Freight policy options. 
• Train stakeholders of the Bi-Oceanic Corridor, and
  representatives of the Northern Corridor, in the use of an SLCP emission accounting framework
• Co-design and develop a Green Freight Strategy & Action Plan will be co-designed with the countries, and expert support for the Bi-Oceanic corridor countries and capacity development in Green Freight strategy.
• Create coordination mechanisms for countries in the Bi-
  Oceanic Corridor to foster collaboration on green freight activities at the corridor level.
• Conduct a regional workshop and training on using the updated
  emission accounting framework to stakeholders of the Northern Corridor
• Conduct an eco-driving training workshop to educate drivers of HDVs in the Bi-Oceanic Corridor on the various driving techniques that can increase vehicle efficiency and minimise vehicle emissions.
• Establish a South-South collaboration and knowledge exchange to share knowledge between the Bi-Oceanic Corridor, the Northern Corridor, and the ASEAN region who would each
  have CCAC-funded HDV projects that are very complementary. 
• Conduct an advocacy and communications programme
  for the Bi-Oceanic Corridor and the Northern Corridor to highlight the various green freight activities, their potential impact on emissions, and opportunities for greater impact through additional measures.

Project Reference: Collaborative action and innovation to transform freight corridors in South America and Eastern Africa - [HDV-24-004]