Transport for an Equitable 1.5ºC Planet

Ambitious, transformative action in transport is essential to tackling climate change and inequity

Sustainable, low carbon transport is the engine of the global economy and increases equitable access to jobs and other socio-economic opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. It powers a just transition to green jobs in a circular economy. It reduces climate impacts. It improves air quality and benefits public health. It reduces congestion, fuel imports and infrastructure costs. It powers livelihoods in urban and rural areas, within the carrying capacity of Earth’s ecosystems.

In contrast to the difficult multilateral negotiations where every step requires consensus amongst many countries – for instance among 197 Parties (countries) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change – we see a flourishing, dynamic groundswell of climate and sustainability action by cities, progressive national governments, civil society, companies, academia, philanthropy and other groups. This offers considerable cause for optimism. SLOCAT will uphold its leading role on disseminating the lessons, scale, broad geographic scope and dynamism of this action happening in the real economy to build broader momentum and convince political leaders to provide the framework conditions for dramatically scaling up action.

Mobility and Transport for a 1.5°C Planet

Tackling climate change and achieving sustainable development

Ambitious, transformative action in transport is essential to tackling climate change and achieving sustainable development. Transport contributes roughly a quarter of global energy related GHG emissions. Without urgent intervention, these are projected to double by 2050 and transport will become the fastest growing emissions sector. The IPCC underlines that a 1.5ºC pathway for transport is possible. However, the transformation of our mobility and transport systems must be prioritised in policy, regulatory and fiscal frameworks. There is still time to act. But it requires unprecedented efforts by all stakeholders.

The COP25 messages were developed by the Paris Process on Mobility and Climate, an a non-state actors coalition bringing together 2 complementary ecosystems to transform and develop transport in line with the Paris Agreement: SLOCAT Partnership on Sustainable, Low Carbon Transport and Movin’ on ecosystem (former Michelin Challenge Bibendum (MCB)). Learn More

A critical driver for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Sustainable, low carbon transport is the engine of the global economy and increases equitable access to jobs and other socio-economic opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. It powers a just transition to green jobs in a circular economy. It reduces climate impacts. It improves air quality and benefits public health. It reduces congestion, fuel imports and infrastructure costs. It powers livelihoods in urban and rural areas, within the carrying capacity of Earth’s ecosystems.

By determining our access to socio-economic opportunities, transport plays a pivotal role in shaping equitable and inclusive societies and wellbeing. It has a direct effect on the liveability of our shared habitats and the human and environmental health in them, whether they are urban or rural. As countries around the world contend with the adverse impacts of climate change and air pollution, it is imperative that the transport sector is used to advance low carbon development pathways. This would not only reduce emissions and fossil fuel dependency, but it would also improve the everyday lives of all people by sustainably securing access to goods, services, and each other.

Because of the intrinsic transversal nature of transport, it is essential to integrate it into all sustainability policies. Building on its work SLOCAT research found that transport is a key enabler of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: It supports the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and is also directly related to 5 SDG indicators. Learn More

Sustainable, low carbon transport and mobility services as a vital piece to worldwide post-pandemic green, equitable socio-economic recovery

The COVID-19 global health emergency is shining a light on the inextricably linked social, economic and environmental issues our societies must crucially address to resolve prevailing equality and climate action challenges. While the world grapples with the aftermath of the global COVD-19 pandemic, we seek to empower change-makers to ensure the economic viability of, the affordable access to and the right investments in sustainable, low carbon transport and mobility services and infrastructure as a vital piece to worldwide green, equitable socio-economic recovery. Recovery decisions by world leaders and multilateral entities must not derail us from the goals of mobility for an equitable 1.5ºC Planet.

SLOCAT is gathering relevant information, resources, and virtual events on COVID-19 and its impacts on transport to help further this mission. Learn More