TERI’s ‘Transport In Climate Action’ Roundtable Highlights Finance, Technology, And Equity As Keys To Low-Carbon Mobility In India And Developing Nations

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) organized a high-level roundtable titled “Transport in Climate Action: National Priorities and Global Expectations for COP30” on September 26, 2025. The event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, financial experts, and researchers to discuss strategies for decarbonizing the transport sector in India and other developing countries. The session emphasized how finance, technology, and the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) can shape sustainable mobility and contribute to global climate goals.

The discussions explored ways to integrate equity, ambition, and finance into national transport strategies, focusing on India’s ongoing policy and technological advancements. These include progress in electric mobility, improvements in fuel efficiency and emission standards, expansion of biofuels, promotion of green hydrogen, and the development of dedicated freight corridors. Participants also highlighted the importance of building credible data systems, institutional capacity, and drawing lessons from international best practices to ensure effective implementation.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Sanjay Seth, Senior Director at TERI, stressed the urgency of aligning the transport sector with global climate objectives. He noted that transport accounts for nearly a quarter of global CO₂ emissions and remains one of the fastest-growing sources of energy-related emissions. As COP30 in Belém approaches, he called for collective efforts to reduce emissions, enhance resilience, and ensure equitable solutions for all nations.

Representing the Government of India, Shri Mahmood Ahmed, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), reaffirmed the country’s dedication to sustainable development. He emphasized that India’s goal of achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047 and net-zero emissions by 2070 must be supported by strong, inclusive, and globally aligned policies. He also highlighted the ministry’s achievements, including the leap from Bharat Stage IV to VI emission norms, ongoing development of Bharat Stage VII standards, and initiatives such as methanol blending and the expansion of CNG networks.

Offering an international perspective, Mr. Dan Ioschpe, COP30 Climate Champion, emphasized the importance of collective global action, stating that climate action is not only necessary but also achievable, profitable, and popular. He encouraged collaboration among Indian non-state actors to advance the Global Stocktake agenda through a shared action framework. Representatives from Turkey, Norway, Sweden, Kiribati, and the Republic of Guinea also participated in the roundtable, sharing their experiences and highlighting how transport is central to achieving their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

The session, moderated by Ms. Jaya Varma Sinha, former Chairperson and CEO of the Railway Board, Ministry of Railways, was structured around two main themes: policy and technology readiness, and financing and equity. Participants discussed how transport can be more effectively integrated into national climate plans through better inter-ministerial coordination and stronger connections with NDCs. The discussions took place against the backdrop of growing concern over the global ambition gap. Since the establishment of the UNFCCC in 1992 and the Paris Agreement in 2015, the CBDR principle has been vital in balancing fairness and ambition.

However, the 2024 UNFCCC NDC Synthesis Report projected that even with current pledges, global emissions could reach around 51.6 gigatonnes of CO₂ equivalent by 2030—consuming nearly 87 percent of the remaining carbon budget for limiting warming to 1.5°C. This highlights the urgent need for stronger commitments, greater financial support, and more ambitious action. TERI’s analysis revealed that 72 out of 158 countries have included transport-specific targets in their NDCs, most of which are dependent on financial aid, technology transfer, and capacity building.

For India, the transport sector is a key component of its net-zero pathway, contributing more than 90 percent of sectoral emissions, primarily from road transport in urban areas. Although progress has been made through electric vehicle adoption, ethanol blending, and freight corridor expansion, challenges persist in freight decarbonization, demand management, and data monitoring. TERI’s modelling suggests that strong policy actions could reduce transport emissions by 30 percent by 2050 compared to baseline scenarios, but unchecked freight growth and institutional gaps could undermine these gains.

Financing emerged as a central concern. While COP29 established a new collective target of USD 300 billion annually by 2035, developing countries, including India, have called for USD 1.3 trillion per year in concessional finance by 2030 to support a just and equitable transition. Mobilizing funds through multilateral development banks, public–private partnerships, and carbon markets will be crucial for enabling large-scale transport decarbonization in developing economies.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Sharif Qamar, Associate Director at TERI, thanked all participants and announced that the key insights and recommendations from the roundtable would be compiled and shared with relevant ministries and stakeholders to guide India’s future NDC updates and COP30 negotiations. The roundtable reaffirmed that transport is not only a domestic development issue but also a critical element in global climate diplomacy. As the world moves toward COP30, aligning technology, finance, and equity will be vital to achieving low-carbon mobility and ensuring a just transition for India and other developing nations.