CIFAL Jeju organises Online Workshop on

Scaling-up Renewable Energy Ambition in Future Transport

6 - 11 May 2021 - Centre International de Formation des Autorités et Leaders Jeju (CIFAL Jeju) organized an Online Workshop on Scaling-up Renewable Energy Ambition in Future Transport. The workshop invited 30 participants from 9 countries in the Asia and Pacific including Cambodia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, India, the Philippines, Nepal, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and Mongolia.

The first session was joined by Dr. Young-Tae Kim, Secretary-General of the International Transport Forum, Mr. Abhinav Soman, Programme Associate at the Council of Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), and Mr. Nikola Medimorec, Sustainable Transport and Climate Change Researcher at the Partnership on Sustainable, Low Carbon Transport (SLoCat) who deliver keynote presentations and opened the discussions on “How can we make people on the ground involved?” and “How can we secure necessary investment on R&D despite the ongoing current/political affairs?” The three resource persons were invited for their expertise, diversity in region they represent, and the perspective they can bring to the table given that each speaker represent an intergovernmental organization, research institute, and an international NGO.

It was emphasized that, to achieve the common goal of decarbonization, transport sector needs to take bolder actions. Dr. Kim stressed that more countries need to reflect greener transport policy in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and science- and evidence-based approach can ensure creating enabling policy environment. Mr. Soman presented different analyses of policies in Australia, India, Indonesia, Russia and Japan, with recommendations such as clearer target-setting and demand-side incentive policies. Mr. Medimorec shared diverse international platforms for cooperation on transport, including ACT (Action towards Climate friendly Transport), and Transport Decarbonization Alliance.

Based on the Session 1 where participants were able to not only gain knowledge but also shared diverse perspectives on some key questions, they were given opportunities to summarize their national renewable energy and transport policy. Cambodia, the Philippines, Mongolia, and Sri Lanka’s cases were presented, especially around the question of public transportation and promotion of electric vehicle use. An example of Mongolia where most of the road transport is made up of old, second hand imported vehicle was shared: electric vehicles can use bus only lane, receive duty free tax benefit, and are entitled for special plate.

Participants later submitted a summary of national renewable energy and transport portfolio, articulating the current situation and challenges/opportunities. Their stories will be compiled and distributed for further use, and one of articles will be published in the International Electric Vehicle monthly magazine. This is to promote the linkage between Jeju Island’s effort to be a carbon-free island mainly through electrification of transport and participants’ explanation of the needs and aspiration of their country. UNITAR CIFAL Jeju will re-visit the sustainable transport issue, with a particular focus on electric vehicles, in September when it will organize a workshop in line with the 8^th International Electric Vehicle Expo.