Getting on Track: Finding a Path for Transportation in the CDM

The report assesses the application of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) to Chile's transportation sector through three case studies: bus technology switching, bicycle initiatives, and location efficiency. It finds that the current project-based CDM framework is poorly suited for transportation due to the fragmented nature of emissions sources and the complexity of quantifying demand-side reductions. The authors argue that for the CDM to be effective post-2012, it must shift toward policy-based or sectoral approaches that can accommodate system-wide changes in travel behavior and land use.

• The current project-based framework of the CDM is restrictive and complicates the quantification of emissions reductions in the transportation sector because emissions originate from numerous small, individual sources governed by personal choice rather than a central agency.
• Demand-side initiatives, such as non-motorized transport (NMT) and land-use planning, do not fit well within the existing CDM structure due to monitoring challenges and uncertainties regarding the implementation of future transport plans.
• Projects that are compatible with the current CDM, such as fuel or technology switching, typically result in low emissions reductions and have minimal impact on long-term emissions growth.
• To achieve meaningful impact, the CDM needs to evolve to accommodate sectoral and policy-based approaches, which could address 'perverse incentives' and reduce emissions leakage while supporting comprehensive 'smart growth' efforts.
• Chile is considered an ideal testing ground for these projects due to its strong modeling capacity, high-quality data, and government commitment, yet even in Chile, demand-side initiatives face significant methodological barriers that would be insurmountable in most other developing countries.
• The CDM should be viewed as one of several tools; long-term sustainability requires integrating transportation into broader poverty reduction strategies and leveraging international assistance such as Official Development Assistance (ODA) and GEF funds.

APA

Browne, J., Sanhueza, E., Silsbe, E., Winkelman, S., & Zegras, C. (n.d.). Getting on Track: Finding a Path for Transportation in the CDM. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/climate_chile_getting_on_track_sum.pdf

Chicago

Browne, Jodi, Eduardo Sanhueza, Erin Silsbe, Steve Winkelman, and Chris Zegras. Getting on Track: Finding a Path for Transportation in the CDM. International Institute for Sustainable Development, n.d. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/climate_chile_getting_on_track_sum.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Browne |first1=Jodi |last2=Sanhueza |first2=Eduardo |last3=Silsbe |first3=Erin |last4=Winkelman |first4=Steve |last5=Zegras |first5=Chris |title=Getting on Track: Finding a Path for Transportation in the CDM |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/climate_chile_getting_on_track_sum.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{brownendgetting, author = {Browne, Jodi and Sanhueza, Eduardo and Silsbe, Erin and Winkelman, Steve and Zegras, Chris}, title = {{Getting on Track: Finding a Path for Transportation in the CDM}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/climate_chile_getting_on_track_sum.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }