the
UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR AFRICA UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR LATIN AMERICAAND THE CARIBBEAN UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIAAND THE PACIFIC UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR WESTERN ASIA INTERNATIONAL UNION OF RAILWAYS INTERNATIONAL ROAD TRANSPORT UNION International
Road
Transport
Union
Transport for
The case of inland transport
Sustainable Development
The study «Transport for Sustainable Development: The case of Inland Transport» – with UNECE as the lead author – is the result of cooperation between the five Regional Commissions of the United Nations and key global stakeholders, in particular, the International Road Transport Union and the International Union of Railways. The study examines issues, progress and challenges in global efforts to achieve a transition to sustainable mobility of freight and people using inland modes of transport, i.e. road, railways, inland waterways and intermodal transport. While transport is a precondition for social and economic interactions, unfortunately, it has also negative impacts, such as road crashes, air and noise pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. With a wealth of good and best practices, the study showcases results in mitigating the negative impacts, and also identifies the main challenges and opportunities to accelerate the transition to sustainability. It promotes an in-depth and real-world understanding of the five defining dimensions of sustainable transport – accessibility, affordability, safety, security and environmental performance. The study brings forth theoretical insights and best practices from all regions of the world and thus maps similarities and differences among countries of different income groups and geographical regions in their efforts towards sustainable transport. A common element is that transport is central in the shift to sustainable societies but a high level of political will is needed to decouple its growth from impacts such as air pollution, traffic accidents or climate change. Statistics show that only UNECE countries have managed to decrease the per capita CO2 emissions from transport in the decade 2001-2011. But, as these countries are responsible for roughly 50 per cent of the total emissions, further progress is needed. Only UNECE Governments have achieved absolute decoupling between the increasing levels of motorization and road fatalities (i.e. the latter decreases while the former increases). In two other regions (UNECLAC and UNESCWA) during the same period, Governments achieved relative decoupling (the latter increases at a slower pace than the former); in the other two regions (UNECA and UNESCAP) decoupling has, however, yet to be achieved. The authors of this study are committed to promoting sustainable mobility and transport which are central to sustainable economic and social development. We plan to regularly update this study, as well as to facilitate broad exchanges of best practices. Any views, suggestions or examples you wish to share can be submitted to: sustainable_inland_transport@unece.org
This book is issued by: the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Palais des Nations CH - 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland Telephone: +41(0)22 917 44 44 Fax: +41(0)22 917 05 05 E-mail: info.ece@unece.org Website: http://www.unece.org
Designed and Printed at United Nations, Geneva – 1516710 (E) – September 2015 – 976 – ECE/TRANS/251
UNITED NATIONS
ISBN 978-92-1-117096-2
The case of Inland Inland Transpor ansportt
Transport for Sustainable Development - The case of Inland Transport
Transport for
Sustainable Development