At COP30, Transportation Emissions Remain a Big Hurdle

Transportation emissions have been a key focus at COP30 in Brazil over the past few days.  The main focus has been on how transport networks should take into account climate challenges, like flooding and heat impacts.

Share of Transportation Sector in Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Globally, transportation carbon emissions account for about a quarter of energy sector emissions, but remain an area where progress has been slow, especially when it comes to shipping, trucking and aviation. There’s a finance gap, too, as transport currently receives around 29% of global climate finance, which is not nearly enough. In fact, according to the Partnership on Sustainable, Low Carbon Transport (SLOCAT), climate finance but faces the largest investment gap of any sector. 

In Asia, growing urbanisation and economic development are increasing demand for automobiles and air transport, leading to expanding GHG emissions. There is a strong need to expand investments into both clean transportation, but also healthy transportation, 

“While there have been encouraging developments, key transport sectors are not transforming fast enough, and clear headwinds are emerging,” warned Maruxa Cardama, secretary general of SLOCAT. 

Carbon Fee for Emitting Greenhouse Gas Emissions – Shipping Setback

One big setback took place just last month, when the United States and Saudi Arabia blocked the implementation of the first carbon fee — USD 100 for every tonne of greenhouse gases emitted by ships above allowable limits — at the meeting of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). This would have been a landmark shift, finally putting a price on carbon shipping, and was expected to help cut emissions from global shipping — responsible for about 3% of global emissions and growing.

“It’s disgraceful that climate action has been delayed when we see the devastating impacts every day, and when shipping fuels have been tied to 250,000 premature deaths and 6 million cases of childhood asthma every year,” said Delaine McCullough, Ocean Conservancy’s shipping program director. “The agreement would have required ships across the globe to slash their greenhouse gas emissions, driving a sector-wide switch from dirty fossil fuels to zero-emission options, including […] running on new fuels produced from 100% renewable energy.”

At COP30, the head of the IOM and the United Nations are pushing for implementing this fee, or something similar, as soon as possible. It is now meant to come into place next year, but already there are signs that the US, a country not officially participating in COP30, will once again push for a delay.

Asian countries could play a strong role in pushing for this agreement, especially as the majority of global freight shipping is coming to or from Asia, or through trading routes like the Malacca Strait. While most of the region supports the IMO’s carbon pricing scheme, active leadership has been lacking.

Transportation Emissions at COP30 Brazil

The IPCC’s latest Synthesis Report calls for greater demand-side measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transit sector and broader, coordinated actions throughout value chains to decrease emissions in the transit sector. It also highlights the role that electric vehicles and other low-emissions alternatives could play in making the transportation sector more climate resilient.

There have been some positive moves at COP30 on transportation. A key focus has been on equity and human-centred transportation — ensuring that whatever solutions are put forth to transition away from fossil-fuel driven transportation systems are designed to be accessible. 

“It’s time to set a quantified global goal for inclusive, low-carbon, resilient transport — expanding access through electrified rail, mass transit, walking and cycling, while phasing out fossil fuels and cutting energy use,” said Cardama.

On Nov. 14, nine countries unveiled a landmark declaration for global transport, which aims to achieve a 25% drop in energy demand from transportation by 2035, primarily through renewable energy sources. Unfortunately, no Asian country has yet joined this declaration.

Fossil Fuel Lobbying at COP30 2025 UN Climate Change Conference

The extreme presence of fossil fuel companies in the climate talks has been a concern, as they seek to maintain their presence as a key transportation fuel. Moreover, fossil fuel exporting countries like Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan have, in past talks, sidelined transport in discussions about mitigation. This is also why language about how to transition the transport sector to renewable energy remains vague.

“Just days after devastating floods and supertyphoons in the Philippines, and amid worsening droughts, heatwaves and displacement across the Global South, we see the very corporations driving this crisis being given a platform to foist the same false ‘solutions’ that sustain their profit motives and undermine any hope of truly addressing the climate emergency,” said Jax Bongon, with IBON International in the Philippines.
According to one estimate, there are perhaps 1,600 fossil fuel lobbyists at COP30, more than any single country delegation except for the host Brazil. Many civil society groups are calling for the UNFCCC to limit the role of the industry most responsible for the climate crisis, and ensure that they don’t capture the process or limit progress on key issues like transportation. Several Asian organisations, including the Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network in Bangladesh, Accountability Lab, Pakistan and EcoCare Maldives, signed a letter asking Brazil and the UN to “confront high-polluting industries’ undue influence in climate negotiations and restore trust in the COP process”.

Asia’s Role

One thing has been noticeable at COP30 2025 so far. When it comes to transportation, Asian countries have been mostly on the sidelines, not engaging or pushing for strong language or action.

It’s a disappointment both because of the key role Asia plays as a contributor to global transportation emissions, but also because of the potential for Asia to lead when it comes to solutions. In fact, there’s a lot Asia can teach the world. Countries like Japan, South Korea and China have made strides in public transit and high-speed rail, while Singapore’s congestion pricing is seen as a model for how urban areas can reduce car dependence, increase walkability, better air quality and lower costs. Other cities in the region dealing with congestion, such as Jakarta, Bangkok or Saigon, could learn from Singapore’s model.

Ultimately, whether or not the world makes progress on reducing transportation emissions depends greatly on Asia. Balancing transportation access for 1.8 billion people while reducing emissions will be a challenge, one that requires active, not passive, action. The future of Asian and global transportation depends on the decisions being made at COP30, and also in Beijing, Tokyo, Jakarta and New Delhi now.