As countries worldwide seek to fulfill their Nationally Determined Contributions and National Climate Action Plans under the Paris Agreement, access to finance remains a critical challenge. Current funding levels are far below what is needed, especially for the rapidly growing transport sector in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Complex funding requirements, limited project preparation capacity, high-risk profiles compounded with growing levels of debt continue to present significant barriers in these countries. To meet climate goals by 2030, developing countries (excluding China) are projected to need $2.4 trillion annually, with $575 billion required specifically for low-emission transport. Bold, targeted actions are essential to close this financing gap, particularly in countries that receive a disproportionally low share of climate finance.

In response to this urgent need, WRI, in collaboration with SLOCAT Partnership, will launch a suite of knowledge products aimed at enhancing access to climate finance for the transport sector in LMICs. This 1.5-hour webinar will convene policymakers, transport and finance experts, and international development practitioners to explore innovative strategies and practical resources for overcoming barriers to scaling up climate-smart investments, supporting the transition to sustainable and low-carbon transport in LMICs.

This webinar will introduce three key knowledge products developed to improve access to climate finance:

  1. State of knowledge research report: Insights on the landscape of international climate finance in the transport sector in LMICs and key barriers to climate finance access.
  2. Policy guide: Step-by-step guidance on how to enhance climate finance and create an enabling environment for transport investments.
  3. Digital toolkit: An interactive digital resource, featuring a funding catalog and a case study course on WRI’s open-access TheCityFix Learn platform.

These knowledge products are part of the Access to Climate Finance for Transport project. It is supported by the High Volume Transport Applied Research (HVT) program, a seven-year, £18 million investment by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) to undertake research into the complex and interrelated issues of sustainable transport development across Africa and South Asia.

Speakers:

  • Benjamin Welle, Integrated Transport & Innovation Director, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities
  • Neil Ebenezer, Team Leader, High Volume Transport Applied Research Program
  • Binyam Reja, Global Practice Manager for Transport, World Bank
  • Vivien Foster, Principal Research Fellow, Imperial College London
  • Nikola Medimorec, Data Analysis & Research Director, SLOCAT Partnership
  • Kristiina Yang, Urban Climate Finance and Infrastructure Manager, Climate Policy Initiative
  • Yiqian Zhang, Climate & Electric Mobility Manager, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities
  • K. Zé Liu, Electric Mobility Research & Visualization Analyst, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities

Register for this webinar

Please include the full name of your organization (no acronym please)
Which best describes your organization?
With which gender do you most identify?*
Do you identify as a person with a disability?*

*Collected for funder requirements only.

By registering for this webinar, I agree to subscribe and receive updates from World Resources Institute.