Critical Evaluation of Transport Sector NDCs for a Low-Carbon Future

The Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of the transport sector have been recognized as one of the most effective measures to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive and critical evaluation of the NDCs of the transportation sector in Sri Lanka to assess their effectiveness in achieving a low-carbon future. This research aims to identify the gaps and limitations of current policy and planning strategies and recommend strategies to support the sector’s transition to a sustainable future. The research methodology involved reviewing relevant literature on NDCs, selecting specific NDCs for evaluation, conducting a Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) and a questionnaire survey to assess the current state of the NDCs, prioritizing the selected NDCs, and proposing enhancements based on the evaluation results. The research focused on creating a prioritization list of transport sector NDCs, assessing the awareness of these NDCs among the public and relevant institutions, and identifying gaps within the NDCs. This study’s results have helped increase awareness of the complexity of emission assessments in the transportation industry and have provided helpful information for planning and policymaking related to sustainable transportation. This research can provide valuable recommendations to policymakers and stakeholders to overcome these challenges and promote sustainable development in the Sri Lankan transport sector.