The world is at a critical juncture as we embark on the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport, a period that could define our climate and development goals for years to come. But here's the catch: we're facing a potential roadblock, a wavering commitment at a time when we need to be accelerating.
Transport, a key player in our global energy landscape, contributes a significant 25% of CO2 emissions. Yet, the investment needed for a low-carbon transition is lagging, with only a small portion reaching low-income countries. Most of these investments are focused on transport electrification, leaving low- and middle-income countries locked into high-carbon emitting infrastructure, even as they strive to electrify their vehicle fleets.
The major polluters in the transport sector are reluctant to change, facing financial pressures and public skepticism about the cost and feasibility of net-zero targets. But here's where it gets controversial: international efforts have proven that sustainable biofuels, energy efficiency, and decentralized solutions can strike a balance between mobility, climate, and development goals.
So, what are the priorities for sustainable transport? We need to focus on modal shifts, promote shared and active mobility, and ensure transport systems work for everyone. These solutions will be on the table at COP30 in Belém, offering a chance to make a real impact.
Let's explore some successful programs that have incentivized or covered the higher costs of public transit and other solutions. For instance, cities like Talinn, Melbourne, and Calgary, as well as countries like Luxembourg, Malta, and Germany, have implemented schemes for cheap or even free public transport tickets. Additionally, social leasing programs and bonuses for electric vehicles for low-income households, as seen in France and Italy, are making a difference.
Cities are leading the way with innovative solutions. Singapore, for example, aligns land use, metro access, and car ownership limits to keep congestion low and public transport dominant. Santiago de Chile operates a fleet of electric buses powered by renewables through public-private partnerships. Curitiba links its bus rapid-transit corridors to land use zoning policies, curbing urban sprawl. In Kenya, local electric-bus pilots combine electrification with domestic manufacturing, while Rwanda's battery-swapping scheme enables informal transport operators to switch to clean motorbikes.
But we can't forget about rural areas and sub-sectors like aviation and shipping, where electrification and modal shifts are limited. Complementary solutions are needed here, and the International Energy Agency's recent report on sustainable liquid and gaseous fuels provides a key analytical basis. The Belém 4X Pledge on Sustainable Fuels proposes a quadrupling of sustainable fuels like hydrogen, biogas, and biofuels, and Brazil's Bioeconomy Challenge aims to scale sustainable investment in nature. If these initiatives are coordinated, they could open up new opportunities for low- and middle-income countries to contribute to climate and mobility goals while supporting new livelihoods and sustainable resource stewardship.
These examples demonstrate how land use planning, policy integration, and inclusion can make low-carbon mobility a reality. As we move forward, COP30 negotiators should take these lessons to heart.
Looking ahead to the next decade, we need to prioritize equity in transport, ensuring access, affordability, and inclusion. COP30 should commit to directing more climate finance towards low- and middle-income countries and scaling social-equity programs to make clean transport accessible to all.
A just and low-carbon transport transition requires deliberate efforts to reach underserved and vulnerable communities. SEI's projects, like the Inclusive Climate-Resilient Transport in Africa and JUSTIT, showcase how participatory planning can embed low-carbon mobility options for low-income and marginalized groups.
Better cycling and walking networks can improve health, reduce air pollution, and enhance urban liveability. SEI researchers have tested this premise in Southeast Asia, engaging national agencies to improve accessibility and affordability through enhanced walking and cycling networks.
Sustainable systems and modal shifts are also crucial. At COP30, countries should commit to integrated strategies that link transport, energy, and urban planning, aiming to decrease emissions and build resilience to climate impacts. Decarbonizing transport requires more than just electrification; it involves exploring demand-responsive public services and active travel to reduce private car dependence and improve accessibility.
SEI's Digital Mapping Toolkit facilitates the collection and analysis of data on the mobility needs of vulnerable populations, providing insights for creating more inclusive and accessible urban transport systems.
Transport modelling is essential for effective policy and planning. COP30 should call for transparent, science-driven planning with clear mandates for data coordination and sharing across sectors. Establishing common data frameworks will help countries align investments and monitor progress more effectively.
SEI's projects, like ResPT and LEAP, examine how public transport systems can become more resilient and simulate mobility transitions under different scenarios. The Inclusive Low-Carbon Transport in Indonesia project explores inclusive decarbonization pathways for national and city-level planning.
SEI also contributes to improving freight emissions accounting by integrating air pollution and black carbon into the Global Logistics Emissions Council Framework, considering the co-benefits of air quality and climate action in transport and logistics planning.
As we begin the decade for sustainable transport at COP30, we must keep humans at the center of our transition. It's not just about new technologies; it's about cleaner air, quieter streets, shorter commutes, affordable shared mobility, safe options for all, and improved conditions for transport workers.
For the transport community and climate negotiators, acceleration is important, but so are scope and equity. Successful policies for transport decarbonization should lead to human-centered transport systems that are affordable, flexible, and enhance quality of life.
COP30 offers an opportunity to drive significant change. Transport policy should be viewed as a social-ecological transformation, delivering inclusive mobility, spatial justice, and climate resilience. This vision guides SEI's programs on sustainable transport, and we invite you to join us in this crucial journey.
