Emissions from transport in Asia and the Pacific have more than doubled since 2000, and the region is now the largest contributor to global transport-related carbon dioxide, accounting for about 41 per cent of the total. During the last decade, transport emissions grew faster than in any other sector, reflecting both the region’s rapid development and the scale of the challenge ahead.

This trajectory underscores the need to strengthen transport data systems as a foundation for effective policy and investment. Reliable and comparable data enable governments to understand where progress is being made, where connectivity gaps persist, and how resources can be directed for the greatest impact. Without a strong evidence base, transport policies risk fragmentation and misalignment with broader climate and development objectives, a challenge reflected across regional data systems. While data availability across the Sustainable Development Goals is gradually improving, it remains uneven: on average, about half of indicators in Asia and the Pacific have at least two data points, while more than a third still lack any data. This demonstrates the need to strengthen how transport data are collected, analyzed and applied so that progress can be tracked, shared and scaled. 

The launch of the Decade of Action for Sustainable Transport (2026-2035) offers a opportunity to move from commitment to implementation, using data not only to track progress but to guide action. The region’s next gains will depend on how effectively information is converted into insight and applied through policy and practice. That requires data that are reliable and timely, backed by institutions able to act on evidence. Regional cooperation plays a central role in enabling data sharing, peer learning and the application of analytical tools that support forward-looking planning. When effectively implemented, these approaches can sustain progress and guide the transition to more sustainable transport throughout the decade ahead.

Building on these efforts, the region is moving toward a more consolidated data foundation across major transport networks, including the Asian Highway, the Trans-Asian Railway and dry ports of international importance. As corridors become more interconnected, the need for a coherent and complete datasets becomes more critical. For dry ports, a region-wide database is being developed to provide up-to-date online information on location, technical capacity, prevailing types of goods handled and available equipment, helping to identify bottlenecks and support more effective multimodal operations.

Figure 1: The ASEAN Dry Port Dashboard (Source: ASEAN Secretariat, https://asean.org/asean-dry-port-database-dashboard-as-uploaded-by-unescap/)

The initial stage focused on the ASEAN subregion, resulting in the the interactive ASEAN Dry Port Dashboard in 2023, showcasing the potential of shared information for planning. This initiative is now being expanded with a database covering dry ports in six countries of North and Central Asia, together with Mongolia. As coverage widens, the database will help compare capacity, identify gaps and build a more consistent understanding of how facilities operate across the region.

Figure 2: Sample information on a dry port from current draft database on dry ports in North and Central Asia and Mongolia. (Source: ESCAP, 2025)

A draft database was presented to the Sixth Meeting of the Working Group on Dry Ports in November 2025, which welcomed the effort and recommended gradually expanding it to cover the entire Asia-Pacific region. The information could also be integrated into the Asia-Pacific Transport Network (APTN), the region’s primary platform for integrated transport connectivity data.

Figure 3: Sustainable Urban Transport Index (SUTI) spider chart for Lautoka City, Fiji, showing scores across ten urban transport indicators. (Source: ESCAP, SUTI Report; 2023)

Beyond collection, analytical tools translate information into practical insights that support governments in monitoring progress across social, economic and environmental dimensions. The Sustainable Urban Transport Index (SUTI) is one such tool. Applied to 31 cities across Asia and the Pacific, it measures performance across ten indicators, including accessibility, safety and environmental impact. Designed for straightforward use, SUTI helps city officials identify gaps, target policies and, track progress over time. In Lautoka City, Fiji, a recent SUTI assessment identified barriers faced by older persons and people with disabilities when using public transport. The findings informed targeted improvements to pedestrian pathways and public transport access, supporting more inclusive mobility. The forthcoming Electric Vehicle Readiness Index will also assess countries’ institutional preparedness to develop electric mobility ecosystems and accelerate the shift to cleaner transport. Together, these tools support benchmarking and help governments refine strategies based on evidence.

Figure 4: Regional Cooperation Mechanism on Low-Carbon Transport subregional workshop (North & Central Asia; East & North-East Asia) (Source: ESCAP, 2023)

Establishment and Implementation of Low Carbon Transport Measures

Turning insight into impact depends on how effectively data is shared and applied. Regional mechanisms support Member States through frameworks, such as the Regional Cooperation Mechanism on Low Carbon Transport and the Regional Action Programme for Sustainable Transport Development, which foster peer learning, common methodologies and coordinated policy approaches. Under the Low-Carbon Transport Mechanism, countries are establishing common targets and timelines for reducing emissions, drawing on shared data and good practices to guide implementation. However, systems for data exchange remain uneven. Implementation of cross-border paperless trade, essential for seamless transport data sharing, stands at only 42 per cent across Asia and the Pacific, trailing progress in other areas of trade facilitation. Expanding data exchange is therefore essential to ensure that progress in one country can inform action across the region. With greater integration, shared standards and continued digital innovation, countries can translate collective knowledge into coordinated action.

The Decade ahead marks a new phase for the Asia-Pacific region, one defined by the urgency to change course. Under current policies, transport carbon dioxide emissions are projected to rise by about 60 per cent by 2050, underscoring how far regional pathways remain from global climate ambitions. Reversing this trajectory requires scaling targeted measures, supported by the data needed to guide decisions and track progress. With data embedded more systematically in planning and cooperation, the region can advance integrated transport networks that cut emissions, improve reliability and expand access, strengthening its capacity to deliver a sustainable transport transition.