The Transport Community Comes Together in Support of Accelerating Action on Climate Change #WeAreTransport
Transport is one of the fastest growing sources of CO2 world-wide and is the largest energy consuming sector in 40% of countries worldwide while being the second largest in most of the remaining countries. Action to limit global average temperature rise to less than 2°C, as recommended by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) without including the transport sector is unrealistic.
To demonstrate and further strengthen the resolve of the transport community towards accelerated action on transport and climate change and show that transport is ready to deliver on climate the PPMC has developed a social media campaign entitled WeAreTransport”.
Decarbonization
Low-carbon transport must be a priority in addressing climate change. Transport currently represents 23% of global GHG emissions. At present it is still almost totally dependent on fossil fuels (96%) and accounts for almost 60% of global oil use. According to most projections, transport emissions will continue to increase in the next decades, resulting from growing demand in people mobility, especially in the developing world. This is not compatible with a 2°C or less scenario.
For more information see the Decarbonization fact sheet.
Adaptation and Climate Resilience
Countries are investing massively in transport infrastructure – an estimated global spending of $1.4 to 2.1 trillion per year. But very few are actually aware of the impact climate change will have on that infrastructure and how best to plan for that impact.
For more information see the Adaptation and Climate Resilience fact sheet.
Dynamism and Innovation
The transport sector is a hugely innovative and dynamic sector and the industry has responded to the call to shift to low carbon transport with a variety of options from completely new mobility models to significant improvements to vehicle technologies and powertrains, the use of a wide variety of alternative fuels, integrating the use of ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) and smart technologies across all modes in all areas.
For more information see the Dynamism and innovation fact sheet.
Urgency and Timeliness
The urgency to address climate change has never been stronger. We are already at the end of 2015 and according to the IPCC we need to stabilize and start reducing GHG emissions by 2020 when the new climate agreement should be fully adopted. Transport accounts for about 60% of global oil consumption, 27% of all energy use, and 23% of world CO2 emissions.
For more information see the Urgency and Timeliness fact sheet.
Connectivity and Accessibility
The shift to sustainable transport is not only essential to meet climate goals, it is also crucial to reduce poverty and social exclusion. Low carbon transport delivers significant co-benefits including meeting better the needs of women, children and ageing populations; emitting less pollution, and therefore improving air quality; including walking and mechanized choices that help people to be healthier through active transport.
For more information see the Connectivity and Accessibility fact sheet.
Finance and Economy-wide GainsTackling climate change with sustainable transport is the biggest economic opportunity of the 21st century. Sustainable transport is a prerequisite for all countries to attain competitiveness, sustainable growth, balanced social and spatial development, and energy and food security. Investments decisions require a major perspective and a shift towards a mobility paradigm focused on people, environment and climate rather than individual or commercial vehicle use. Infrastructure funding will continue to come mainly from the public sector but cannot succeed without tapping substantial private investment through transparent and enabling financial