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