Sustainable Urban Mobility in Asia (SUMA) News Digest :-Vol. 5 Issue 9

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Sustainable Urban Mobility in Asia (SUMA) News Digest
Vol. 5 Issue 9
23 May 2008

SUMA News Digest is a free weekly e-mail publication that features
news, information, and events related to sustainable urban
transportation in Asia.

*** VISIT THE SUMA PAGES:
http://www.cleanairnet.org/suma ***

HEADLINES

ASIA: TWO STROKES AND YOU'RE OUT 21 May 2008

David Kushner from Discover Magazine in a news report highlights the
problem of two stroke engines aptly titled “two strokes and you’re
out”. He indicates that the outdoor air pollution kills 800,000 people
a year and sickens many more and the main contributor is the emissions
blasted from the two stroke engines of motor cycles, scooters etc.
Read more of this article to know how two stroke engines affects your
life,

http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72698.html

INDIA: STOP BREATHING. THE AIR'S FOUL 20 May 2008

In a detailed news report, Dr. Umarajaratnam reminds us the
destructive quality of air pollution. The author highlights that it's
not only the age and technology incorporated in the automobile that
has a bearing on the level of pollution, but also the manner of
driving has a significant impact on the quantum generated. The
solution to our own mess is the clean technologies and the effective
public transportation. Read More

http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72695.html

GLOBAL: A TRUE BICYCLE CULTURE REMAINS ELUSIVE 18 May 2008

The issue of utility riders "the people for whom cycling is survival,
not sport" is highlighted in the news article by Murray Whyte. In this
blazing piece on Toronto's driving culture, the author reaffirms the
issue of dedicated right of way for the cyclists. The author urges
people and planners to consider bicycles as" parallel transit system"
rather than a recreation sport. In his words "In the transportation
endgame, with oil shattering its record high and humanity exploding
and urbanizing at its fastest rate in human history, changing the
culture is, unenviably, both a necessary and near-impossible task."
Read More

http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72688.html

GLOBAL: FACTS BACK MOVING BEYOND OIL 18 May 2008

The writer who is a green management consultant with Post-Petroleum
Transportation, based in Sausalito, Calif shatters several myths
pertaining to the issue of Oil. He suggests that the Myths associated
with Oil production and consumption is causing the confusion for
consumers, businesses and government policymakers thus delaying our
sustainable march. Read more to know more about myths and facts…

http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72689.html

ASIA: ADB PRESIDENT SAYS ASIA MUST ATTRACT CLEAN ENERGY INVESTMENTS

ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda at a climate change seminar in Madrid
announced that with demand for energy in Asia soaring, governments
urgently need to create the right environment to attract investments
in clean energy. He emphasised the fact that Asia's share of worldwide
greenhouse gas emissions has tripled since 1973 and is expected to
reach 42% by 2030 unless there is a dramatic change in the trend to
build new coal power plants and other polluting energy infrastructure
across the region. Read More

http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72682.html

GLOBAL: CHRYSLER GASOLINE PRICE GUARANTEE

In the age of "Fuel Economy", "Global Warming" and "Peak Oil", the
automobile manufacturer Chrysler has offered all car purchasers of
selected types to pay only $2,99 per gallon. This move definitely a
setback for "sustainable environment" would impact the vehicle sales.
Continuing further, the author suggests that assuming for similar
scheme but with hybrid variety- "for each car purchaser, the
installment for a photovoltaic will be 3 years paid. The photovoltaic
is sized for 12000 miles per years." The scheme would work out more
economical to the Chrysler and thus more greener to the environment.
Read More

http://car.pege.org/2008-news/chrysler-gasoline-price.htm

More air quality and sustainable mobility news at
http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/propertyvalue-14783.html

* * * *

INTERESTING FINDS

ECONOMIC INCENTIVES IN A NEW CLIMATE AGREEMENT
By : Joseph E. Aldy & Robert N. Stavins

In this research paper by the authors on behalf of The Harvard Project
on International Climate Agreements, suggested potential use of market-
based or economic-incentive instruments to ensure that polluters face
direct cost incentives to mitigate emissions at the lowest possible
cost. The authors propose that the market based instruments that are
most appropriate for climate policy are taxes and cap-and-trade
measures. Under an emission tax, a government could impose a charge
per unit of pollutant discharge, or it could set a tax on the carbon
content of fossil fuels. Under a cap-and-trade scheme, the government
could set an overall cap on emissions, allocates emission allowances
that in sum equal the cap- to firms in the economy, and allows trade
in these allowances among firms. Under a variant of emission trading –
an emission-reduction-credit system – firms generate credits for
reducing their emissions that they can sell into a cap-and-trade
system. Read this interesting proposition

http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72683.html

IMPROVING CAPACITY PLANNING FOR DEMAND-RESPONSIVE PARATRANSIT SERVICES
By: DiwakarGupta, Hao-Wei Chen, Lisa Miller, and Fajarrani Surya

In this Research Project supported by the Minnesota Department of
Transportation and the University of Minnesota's Center for
Transportation Studies, the authors used data from Metro Mobility ( a
Para Transit Service Provider in twin cities) to identify
opportunities for improving efficiency and service quality. The main
motive of the researchers were to reoptimize routes developed by Metro
Mobility's route-building software at the end of each day of booking
operations to reduce the total time it takes to serve booked trips.
The other idea was to evaluate the selective use of non-dedicated
vehicles and service providers (e.g. taxi services) for lowering
operational costs. The output of such a research provides the
researchers from across the globe with an opportunity to apply the
underlying principles to a variety of other situations in different
parts of the state and the country. Read this article to learn more
about as to how para transit can improve its efficiency.

http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72700.html

KEY ELEMENTS OF A GLOBAL DEAL ON CLIMATE CHANGE
By : Nicholas Stern

In this analytical research paper the author suggests that the balance
of scientific evidence implies need for all countries to plan credible
emissions reduction policies now, if mankind is to avoid substantial
risks to future generations. The impact of global warming is already
being felt, and future generations face grave risks if activities
continue unaltered. Delaying action increases the cost of meeting any
temperature or concentration goal, and raises the risks of
irreversible impacts as temperature thresholds are exceeded. The
author further suggests the need for utilizing the the 3 "E" measures
namely Effectiveness, Efficiency & Equity for sustainable development.
The author indicates that The UN Conference of the Parties in
Copenhagen in late 2009 would be decisive in determining the post-2012
policy frameworks, and designing an effective institutional
architecture and our generation should not miss this golden
opportunity.

Read More

http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72684.html

HOT, THIRSTY AND CROWDED: TIME FOR A MODEL CHANGE
By : Dr John Wormald

In this brilliant special report by Dr. John Wormld, he plays the role
of devil's advocate and dissects the automobile industry for better
appreciation. He investigates the environmental challenges to the
automobile industry; the competitive challenge from Asia; the fight
for the aftermarket cash cow; the innovation challenge; the conflict
over original and non-original parts; and the choices that must be
made over the future of the industry. Though the discussion's and the
illustrations are cantered on the European automotive industry. But
much of the argument is valid globally, as the same issues are going
to crop up in future.
In the process of analysing the industry historical trends and
probable future outlooks, he raises some fundamental questions. What
kind of a European automotive industry do we want for the 21st
century? And, once we have answered that one, what do we expect of
Brussels after 2010 ? Do we want another face-lift? Or a real model
change?
Read the SWOT analysis of European automobile industry to know
more....

http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72701.html

* * * *
EVENTS/WORKSHOPS/CONFERENCES
TOWARDS A GLOBAL APPROACH TO AUTOMOTIVE FUEL ECONOMY 15-16 May 2008

The FIA Foundation organized in cooperation with UNEP, the
International Transport Forum and the International Energy Agency a
workshop to review the current status of fuel economy regulations in
the world and the desirability and feasibility to develop a global
initiative on fuel economy. Cornie Huizenga, Executive Director, of
the CAI-Asia Center participated in the meeting. One of the
recommendations of the meeting relevant for Asia was to assess the
possibility to develop a pilot program on fuel economy with ASEAN
(Association of South East Asian Nations). For the presentations of
the workshop see:
http://www.fiafoundation.org/news/archive/related/Pages/FuelEconomySymposiumPresentations.aspx

U.S.-JAPAN CO-BENEFITS WORKSHOP

Institute of Global Environmental Strategies in association with
Japanese Ministry of the Environment (MoEJ) and the US Environmental
Protection Agency (US EPA) conducted a workshop in Bangkok, Thailand
entitled "The Co-benefits of Climate Actions in Asia.” Cornie
Huizenga, Executive Director and Sophie Punte, Deputy Executive
Director participated in the deliberations. The main agenda of the
meeting was to assess the opportunities for and obstacles to enhancing
the policy impacts of co-benefits in Asia. To know more the "Co-
Benefits" approach click the following link:

http://www.iges.or.jp/en/cp/activity21.html

* * * *
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
ECOMM 2008 - The 11th Annual European Conference On Mobility
Management,Travel Demand Management - Tackling Climate Change, 4-6
June-2008, London
http://www.ecomm2008.eu/

Towards Carfree Cities VIII, Rethinking Mobility, Rediscovering
Proximity 16-20 June 2008, Portland, Oregon, USA,
http://www.carfreeportland.org/

World Cities Summit 2008,
Livable and Vibrant Cities,
23-25 June 2008, Singapore,
http://www.worldcities.com.sg/

Fourteenth International Conference on Urban Transport and the
Environment in the 21st Century, 1 - 3 September 2008, Malta,
http://www.wessex.ac.uk/conferences/2008/urban08/

PODCAR City Sustainable Transport Conference,
14-16 September 2008, Ithaca, New York,
http://www.podcar.org/ithacaconference/

UITP 2nd Sustainable Development Conference
Making tomorrow today
22-24 October 2008, Milan, Italy
http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72425.html

Better Air Quality (BAQ) Workshop 2008
12-14 November 2008 Bangkok, Thailand
Call for Abstracts ongoing; First Call for Pre-events
http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72312.html

See more SUT events
http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/propertyvalue-27089.html

See CAI-Asia's events calendar
http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/propertyvalue-13577.html

* * * CONTRIBUTE * * *

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* * * ABOUT SUMA * * *
The Sustainable Urban Mobility in Asia (SUMA) program of the Clean Air
Initiative for Asian Cities
( www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia), Asian Development Bank
( www.adb.org), EMBARQ-the World Resources Institute Center for
Sustainable Transport ( http://embarq.wri.org ), GTZ
Sustainable Urban Transport Project ( www.sutp.org), Interface for
Cycling Expertise ( www.cycling.nl), Institute for Transportation and
Development Policy (www.itdp.org), and United Nations Center for
Regional Development (www.uncrd.or.jp/est) is made possible through
the generous support of the Swedish International Development
Cooperation Agency ( www.sida.se).

SUMA works with Asian countries and cities to strengthen then
formulation and implementation of sustainable urban transportation
policies, specifically in
(i) Improving urban air quality by adopting AQM
planning in sustainable transport policies and promoting public
transportation,
(ii) Improving road safety by encouraging non-motorized
transport and public transport, and
(iii) Reducing transport's contribution to climate change
by adopting a co-benefits approach with urban air quality management.