Action towards Climate-friendly Transport (ACT) Initiative

A global coalition is decarbonising the transport sector

On the occasion of the United Nations Climate Action Summit, for the first time, over 100 organisations came together in a bold, multi-pronged commitment to accelerate the decarbonisation of transport worldwide. Action towards Climate-friendly Transport (ACT) is the largest global coalition aiming to catalyse transport as an enabler of sustainable development in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement. The coalition delivers on its goals by connecting innovative approaches with integrated, long-term planning, speeding up the deployment of electric vehicles, creating a mass market for zero-emission freight vehicles, and fostering global dialogue arenas with and among the private sector.

“Transport is the make or break of global climate action. ACT delivers transport action on the ground
and will create a better future for millions of people.”

Carlos Alvarado Quesada, President of Costa Rica

The transport challenge is certainly daunting: Catering to the fast-growing demand for mobility while slashing GHG emissions, strengthening climate resilience, and promoting sustainable development. Without sustainable transport, the achievement of the 2030 Agenda will be impossible. Transport is the fastest growing emissions sector and is responsible for 28% of energy-related GHG emissions. With business as usual scenarios, emissions will double by 2050.

Nevertheless, we CAN win this race – ACT is delivering results and works through four components:

Component 1

Connect innovative approaches at a global scale with integrated long-term planning and policy-making processes at the city level in developing and emerging countries.

Led by I Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative (TUMI) and Sustainable Mobility for All Partnership (SUM4All)

Component 2

Supports policy dialogue with governments and mayors, fostering an enabling environment for the mass rollout of electric buses.

Led by I GIZ and World Resources Institute (WRI)

Component 3

Supports the creation of a mass market for zero-emission freight vehicles by increasing their global demand through commitments made by governments, cities, and private companies. More information about the work being done by this component and ACTion Group ZEFV available here.

Led by I Transport Decarbonisation Alliance (TDA), Climate Group/EV100, and CALSTART/Drive to Zero

Component 4

Establishes global dialogue arenas with the private sector to connect key mobility stakeholders and structure collaborative dialogue to help accelerate measurable action.

Led by I MOVIN’ON by Michelin and International Association of Public Transport (UITP)

After the Climate Action Summit, the momentum created through ACT has fostered innovations by connecting multiple stakeholders from the private sector, governments, cities, NGOs, academia, and others. The implementation of all components is supported through UN-Habitat.

2020 Activities

Focus on the transport sector’s role and response during the pandemic; supporting countries with recommendations on how immediate actions could look like.

Cities Introduction to Transport Planning for Sustainable Cities – Free online training course by TUMI and University College London with the Futurelearn platform.

Changes coming to the zero-emission freight vehicles markets in North America, Europe and South Asia (particularly India) at the New York Climate Week 2020.

ACTion Group on Zero-Emission Freight Vehicles – Established by the TDA, CALSTART/Drive to Zero, and EV100.

2-year plan to explore, with public-private communities of interest, on how the private sector can contribute to the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of the Paris Agreement through the framework of the Movin’On Summit.

With key leadership from UITP, Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), Movin’On, SLOCAT and private sector leaders.

ACT Initiative Partners