Washington, D.C.----Emissions
from transportation are the fastest growing source of global greenhouse
gas emissions, with emissions expected to increase 300 percent by 2050,
according to research by the Worldwatch Institute. Today, emissions
from transportation contribute to approximately 80 percent of the
harmful air pollutants that result in 1.3 million premature deaths
annually, according to Michael Replogle and Colin Hughes of the
Institute for Transportation & Development Policy (ITDP). The two authored the fourth chapter, "Moving Toward Sustainable Transport, in Worldwatch's book State of the World 2012: Moving Toward Sustainable Prosperity, published in April.
The largest financial
commitment made at the Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development in
June 2012 was a pledge by the 8 largest multilateral development banks
(MDBs) to commit 500 staff and to dedicate $175 billion for more
sustainable transportation in the coming decade. This unprecedented
agreement was facilitated by the Partnership on Sustainable Low Carbon
Transport (SLoCaT), which brings together 68 MDBs, civil society
organizations, UN agencies, and research and industry organizations.
"This action promises
to begin countering decades of unsustainable investments in
transportation systems, such as building high-capacity motorways," said
Michael Renner, Worldwatch Senior Researcher and State of the World 2012
project co-director. "But it will require new resources for civil
society groups to be able to ensure independent monitoring of impacts
and follow-through by MDBs."
"If transportation
investments and management policies foster walking, cycling, use of high
quality public transportation, and smart traffic management, growing
urbanization can reduce consumption of scarce resources, protect public
health, and deliver happier, nicer cities," said Michael Replogle,
Managing Director for Policy and Founder of ITDP and State of the World 2012
contributing author. "These unprecedented MDB financial and reporting
commitments present an opportunity to leverage large shifts in domestic
and private transportation investment and to build capacity for a
paradigm shift."
The demands on
transportation infrastructure continue to mount. Without changes in
policy, 2 to 3 billion cars will be on the world's roads by 2050, in
comparison to 800 million cars today, according to the International
Energy Agency.
Current
transportation and land development patterns disadvantage the poor,
often forcing them to choose between low incomes in informal-sector
employment that is close to affordable housing, or somewhat
higher-paying jobs that are reachable only if they spend a large share
of their income and hours each day commuting. In many cities, the urban
poor cannot afford public transportation and end up walking long
distances. Additionally, in many places it is unsafe to walk. In
Surabaya, Indonesia, for example, 60 percent of roads have no usable
sidewalks.
"All of these
negative consequences are not inevitable results of urbanization and
development," said Colin Hughes, Global Policy Director at ITDP and State of the World 2012
contributing author. "Experience in some cities show that in comparison
to a business-as-usual rapid motorization strategy, sustainable
transport strategies can address rising mobility needs that accompany
increases in population, employment, and trade at a lower cost overall,
with more job creation and fewer adverse impacts."
The key to this approach is a new sustainability paradigm called "Avoid, shift, and improve:"
- Avoid unnecessary trips with smarter planning, pricing, and telecommunications;
- Shift trips to more sustainable modes with
investments in bus rapid transit (BRT), walking, cycling, and traffic
management, by limiting and pricing parking, by applying polluter-pays
incentives, and offering better traveler information; and
- Improve vehicle efficiency with cleaner fuels,
better-operated networks, and efficient vehicle technology adapted to
local conditions and requirements.
In their State of the World chapter, Replogle and Hughes highlight three examples of this approach, revealing how it improves transport in urban areas:
Rapid bus transit in Bogota, Colombia:
In 2000, Bogota opened TransMilenio, a BRT system with nine routes
extending 54 miles (about 87 kilometers) throughout the city. By 2011,
TransMilenio's ridership was up to 1.7 million passengers daily and the
fare for a single trip was 1,600 Colombian pesos (about US$0.85).
Congestion and emission charging in London:
Drivers who enter congested central London pay a "congestion charge."
The drivers have the option to pay £10 (approximately US$15)in advance,
or they must pay the charge within a certain time after driving through
the congested streets, or be fined up to £120 (almost US$184). The
charge generates funds for public transportation, and bus use is up 6
percent during charging hours. A similar Low Emission Zone covers heavy
goods vehicles across the whole city, charging more polluting trucks and
buses £100-200 per day (approximately US$150-300) to drive in the area.
Public bicycles in Hangzhou, China:
With a population of 6.7 million, Hangzhou is one of China's
fastest-growing cities. This growth comes with rapid motorization. In
2008, Hangzhou launched a bike-share program that currently provides
60,000 bikes. The program has alleviated pressure on roadways and is
accessible to all because of its pricing scheme----the
first hour of bike use is free and the second hour is approximately
US$0.15. The city reports that 90 percent of total trips are made in
that first free hour, and more than 25 percent of trips are made during
peak commuting times.
Innovations like
these can improve travel options for the urban poor while reducing
harmful emissions caused by transportation. "With additional
international support and funding under the MDB commitment at Rio+20,
developing countries will find it easier to shift their development of
transportation from emphasizing rapid motorization and car-dependence to
instead fostering public transport and lower emissions transportation
options," Replogle said. "This moves us towards the kind of support we
called for in our State of the World 2012 chapter."
Worldwatch's State of the World 2012,
released in April 2012, focuses on the themes of inclusive sustainable
development discussed at Rio+20, the 20-year follow-up to the historic
1992 Earth Summit, which was also held in Rio de Janeiro. The report
presents a selection of innovations and constructive ideas for achieving
environmental sustainability globally while meeting human needs and
providing jobs and dignity for all.
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