Sustainable Transport Policy for Armenia: A Roadmap – Analysis – IEA – International Energy Agency

Report on Armenia’s Energy Policy Roadmap for Sustainable Transport

Introduction and Strategic Context

As a component of the EU4Energy Programme, the Armenia Energy Policy Roadmap on Sustainable Transport provides an evidence-based framework for the nation’s transition to a sustainable and efficient mobility system. The strategy is designed to align with and contribute significantly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by delivering substantial reductions in CO₂ emissions, enhancing energy security, fostering economic development, and strengthening regional connectivity.

Current Status and Challenges in Achieving SDGs

While Armenia has demonstrated progress in areas aligning with SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) through the adoption of electric vehicles and rail network electrification, several challenges impede further progress:

• High Dependence on Imported Fossil Fuels: This undermines efforts towards SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and national energy security.
• Lack of Data Transparency: Insufficient data hinders evidence-based policymaking, affecting the effective implementation of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).
• Weak Inter-Governmental Co-ordination: Inefficient collaboration among government agencies challenges the integrated approach required to meet multiple SDGs.

Strategic Framework and Key Pillars for Sustainable Development

The roadmap outlines short-term (2025-2030) and long-term (2030-2040) objectives structured around five key pillars, each directly supporting specific SDGs:

1. Enhancing Governance and Data Quality: To support informed decision-making and strengthen intergovernmental collaboration, directly contributing to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).
2. Mitigating Environmental and Public Health Impacts: To address SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) by implementing tighter emissions standards for combustion engine vehicles and accelerating fleet modernization.
3. Accelerating Road Transport Electrification: To advance SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) through tax incentives, the development of robust charging infrastructure, and fostering public-private partnerships in line with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
4. Boosting Transport Efficiency: To support SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) via multimodal planning, development of rail and public transport, and the prioritization of critical infrastructure projects.
5. Encouraging Fossil-Free Fuels: To promote SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) by encouraging the production and use of alternative fuels, particularly biomethane, to reduce reliance on fossil energy.

Conclusion

The recommendations within this roadmap aim to create a synergistic alignment of policy, governance, and investment. The successful implementation of this framework will be critical for advancing Armenia’s national sustainable development agenda and supporting global climate mitigation efforts as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals.

Analysis of SDGs in the Armenia Energy Policy Roadmap

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article mentions the roadmap’s goal to mitigate the “public health impacts of combustion engine vehicles,” directly linking transport policy to health outcomes.
2. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • The report addresses Armenia’s “high dependence on imported fossil fuels” and aims to enhance “energy security.” It promotes “road transport electrification” and the “production and use of fossil-free fuels, especially biomethane,” which are central to clean energy transitions.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • The core of the article is about transforming the country’s mobility system into a “sustainable and efficient transport system.” This includes developing infrastructure like an “electrified rail network,” “robust charging infrastructure,” and fostering “regional connectivity.”
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The focus on developing “public transport” and creating a “sustainable and efficient transport system” is a key component of making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
5. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • A primary objective of the roadmap is to “deliver significant reductions in CO₂ emissions” and “support global climate mitigation,” which directly aligns with the goals of climate action.
6. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The article highlights the need for “strengthening intergovernmental collaboration” and leveraging “public-private partnerships” to achieve the roadmap’s objectives, emphasizing the importance of collaboration.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.
   • This is relevant to the article’s aim to mitigate “the environmental and public health impacts of combustion engine vehicles through tighter emissions standards.”
2. Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
   • The roadmap’s pillar of “encouraging the production and use of fossil-free fuels, especially biomethane, to cut reliance on fossil energy” directly supports this target.
3. Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
   • The goal of “boosting transport efficiency through multimodal planning, rail and public transport development” aligns with this target.
4. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development and human well-being.
   • This is addressed through plans for “electrifying its rail network,” building “convenient, reliable and robust charging infrastructure,” and developing “public transport.”
5. Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all… notably by expanding public transport.
   • The article’s focus on creating a “sustainable and efficient transport system” and prioritizing “rail and public transport development” connects directly to this target.
6. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
   • The “Armenia Energy Policy Roadmap on Sustainable Transport” itself is an example of integrating climate measures (“significant reductions in CO₂ emissions”) into national policy.
7. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.
   • The roadmap explicitly mentions using “public-private partnerships” to speed up road transport electrification as a key strategy.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. CO₂ Emissions Levels: The goal to deliver “significant reductions in CO₂ emissions” implies that measuring the level of CO₂ emissions from the transport sector is a key indicator.
2. Share of Electric Vehicles: The mention of “rolling out electric vehicles” and “accelerated fleet modernisation” suggests that the number or percentage of EVs in the national fleet is a measurable indicator.
3. Fossil Fuel Dependency: The struggle with a “high dependence on imported fossil fuels” and the goal to “cut reliance on fossil energy” implies that the share of imported fossil fuels in the transport energy mix is an indicator.
4. Share of Renewable Fuels: The objective to encourage “the production and use of fossil-free fuels, especially biomethane” points to the share of biomethane and other fossil-free fuels in transport energy consumption as an indicator.
5. Infrastructure Development: Progress can be measured by the extent of the “electrified rail network” (e.g., km of electrified track) and the number and accessibility of charging points in the “charging infrastructure.”
6. Air Quality Standards: The plan for “tighter emissions standards” for vehicles implies that air quality metrics (e.g., levels of particulate matter or nitrogen oxides) in urban areas would be used as an indicator of public health impact mitigation.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators from the Article

Source: iea.org