Governance for Post-COVID-19 Carbon Reduction: A Case Study of the Transport Sector

Abstract

This article argues that carbon reduction goals in the transport sector should be achieved through the management of policy making and implementation processes, based on a transport-sector carbon emissions identity and the DIRECT approach. Based on the above identity, it is argued that carbon emissions from the transport sector can be reduced from the following six connected domains: (1) carbon intensity of energy consumption from transport, (2) energy consumption from transport, (3) transport pressures from life and business activities, (4) high-carbon life and business activities, (5) changing the needs in life and business, and (6) population policy. The DIRECT approach includes six steps: (1) Detect, (2) Inform/Intervene, (3) React, (4) Enlighten/Enforce/Evaluate, (5) Collaborate, and (6) Transfer, which should be applied to manage each of the above six domains. The “6-domain & 6-step” is proposed as an integrated policy framework for reducing carbon emissions from the transport sector in a seamless way.

Keywords: Transport sector, Carbon emissions identity, DIRECT approach, Policy process management, Governance, Cross-sectoral policymaking, Interdisciplinary research

JEL Classification: R4, R2, Q4, Q5, O1, O2, O3, O4, M2, D1, D2, D4, D7