Investing in more sustainable and greener transport systems is critical to drive forward social and economic developments that will help achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, a new UN report says.
The report, Mobilizing Sustainable Transport for Development, was produced by an expert panel appointed by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in 2014.
The aim of the panel was to provide a focused set of recommendations on how the transport sector can advance sustainable development with poverty eradication at its core, promote economic growth, and bolster the fight against climate change.
The report moves away from a focus on providing mobility based on individual motorised transport and improved traffic speed, to the idea of access through transport, prioritising people and their quality of life, with strong attention to safety and social equity.
The report addresses global trends, including urbanisation, demographic shifts, and globalization, as well as technological progress in digital connectivity and propulsion solutions.
‘Sustainable transport supports inclusive growth, job creation, poverty reduction, access to markets, the empowerment of women, and the well-being of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. It is also essential to our efforts to fight climate change, reduce air pollution and improve road safety,’ Ban Ki-moon said
For more information, visit un.org, or download the report (opens pdf).
