Ways for PH to decarbonize freight transport system

LIKE many other countries struggling to reduce carbon emissions and meet their climate targets, the Philippines’ freight sector alone emitted around 20 million tons of carbon dioxide in 2022.

It is at this crucial time that the International Transport Forum (ITF) has recommended several policies to help the country decarbonize this particular sector.

Through the ITF’s Sustainable Infrastructure Program in Asia, the transport think tank was able to come up with two sets of additional policies for the Philippines, one that focuses on building a green fleet, and another that promotes seamless intermodality.

Under its “Green Fleet” recommendation, ITF advised the Philippines to replace truck fleets with zero-emission vehicles. To make a greener freight transport system, the think tank also recommended the renewal of vessel fleets.

The second set of ITF recommendations focuses on improving the intermodality in the country’s freight transport system.

The think tank advised the Philippines to increase port capacity; decrease dwell times at cargo transfer points by streamlining and digitizing processes; and promote and incentivize asset sharing between key players.

At best, the ITF hopes these measures, coupled with the Philippines’ current policies, could cut the local freight sector’s carbon emissions by half come 2050.

ITF Secretary-General Young Tae Kim said the Philippines can also learn from other countries with regard to decarbonizing their freight transport system, particularly from Europe.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO The event was attended by members of the ITF led by Secretary-General Young Tae Kim (in photo), officials of the Department of Transportation, Land Transportation Office, Climate Change Commission, and private stakeholders that included Clean Air Asia and International Container Terminal Services Inc.