Rising incomes in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) portend rising use of motor vehicles, with attendant challenges to manage traffic congestion, air pollution, energy security, and global warming, as well as growing disparities in access to opportunities between those who have cars and those who do not. International concern regarding the effects of climate change is leading to the creation of mechanisms to promote transport initiatives that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In addition, there is an increasingly widespread interest in more sustainable transport strategies that not only reduce GHG emissions but also improve air quality and safety while at the same time providing access and supporting mobility and economic development.

This monograph is intended to assist planners in LAC in understanding how to assess the GHG emissions reduction benefits of sustainable transport projects, policies, and strategies. The document should aid planners accessing climate finance to support sustainable transport initiatives, as well as to assist evaluators in understanding and measuring GHG benefits of proposed investments. While the focus of the document is on measuring GHG benefits, many of the methods discussed are broadly useful for understanding other important social benefits including air pollution and traffic congestion reduction, fuel savings, increased traffic safety, and access to opportunities across the income spectrum.