Toward a Sustainability Appraisal Framework for Transport

Transport sector support at ADB is changing to meet the new challenges facing its developing member countries. In 2010, ADB adopted its Sustainable Transport Initiative Operational Plan, which recognizes the need to support transport that is accessible, affordable, environment–friendly, and safe.

At the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, ADB joined seven other multilateral development banks in committing to financing more sustainable transport projects and reporting annually on the sustainability of their portfolio. A working group on sustainable transport was set up, tasked with developing a common assessment framework.

The proposed Sustainable Transport Appraisal Rating is a tool for assessing the sustainability of ADB’s transport projects and monitoring changes in the portfolio. It is intended to serve as a tool to design more sustainable transport projects in line with the Sustainable Transport Initiative Operational Plan. It is also developed as a contribution to the emerging common assessment framework of the eight multilateral development banks.