MOBILIZING DEVELOPMENT

Analysis and Policy Recommendations from the United Nations Secretary-General’s High-Level Advisory Group on Sustainable Transport 10
inter-city, urban and rural, and passenger and freight
transport, and all modes. The aim is not to present an
exhaustive picture of the transport universe, but rather
to focus on areas where the Advisory Group’s particular
set of perspectives and expertise can add real value—
in policy, in financing, and in technology. The report
contains examples of existing action and innovation in
key areas to convey what is already being achieved and
what best practice exists in the sustainable transport
arena. It also contains reflections on United Nations
institutional arrangements, and offers proposals on
which the Secretary-General could act directly.
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While there is not a universally recognized definition
of sustainable transport, this report operates with the
following understanding, developed by the Advisory Group:
Sustainable transport is the provision of services and
infrastructure for the mobility of people and goods—
advancing economic and social development
to benefit today’s and future generations—in a
manner that is safe, affordable, accessible, efficient,
and resilient, while minimizing carbon and other
emissions and environmental impacts.
With the people-centred approach of the 2030 Agenda
for Sustainable Development, safety must be the prerequisite
of all sustainable transport efforts. And to
engender progress toward the Paris Agreement goals,
reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing
climate adaptation should be prioritized. Achieving
sustainable transport will need a broad coalition of
stakeholders—from industry, policy and research
institutes, local and national governments, and sector
organizations—to engage, challenge the status quo and
push for real progress. Transport systems will need to be
addressed in a holistic manner, at a scale commensurate
with the size of the challenges.
The challenges are immense. They are particularly
acute in large cities in emerging economies and in the
urban and rural landscapes of the developing world in
general. Fundamental changes are needed. If current
trends continue, congestion, air pollution and traffic
fatalities will continue to rise, moving the human family
away from the sustainable future envisioned in the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development. Bold shifts now
will allow these cities and societies to change course,
and the recommendations contained in this report can
help bring this urgently needed change.
Implementing the recommendations will be a
challenging and rewarding task. Now is not the time
for inertia, or pushing the problem down the road to
the next generation. It is the time for action, to bring
to life the ambitious pledges of the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development. This includes, notably,
initiatives launched by private sector companies,
international organizations and other non-state actors.
When a wide range of stakeholders work together in
partnership, sustainable transport will foster economic
development, encourage equitable social development
and protect the planet for generations to come.
1. SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT - WHAT IT DELIVERS
Transport drives development, linking people,
connecting local communities to the world, building
markets and facilitating trade. In turn, sustainable
transport can drive sustainable development.
The transport landscape varies greatly as one moves
around the world and even within a given country or
region. Almost everywhere in the developed world,
people currently have transport options, though
transport is not always available in an equitable or
environmentally sensitive manner. In the developing
world, there is great diversity within and among
countries, but overall the demand for mobility for
people and goods is growing significantly every year.
In spite of this, the World Bank estimates that one
billion people in developing countries lack access
to an all-weather road. 12 Some groups of countries
including least developed countries, landlocked
developing countries, middle-income countries, postconflict
countries, and small island developing states
face specific challenges based on their structural
vulnerabilities. And safety is a particular concern in