Transport for Sustainable Development
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UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR AFRICA UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR WESTERN ASIA INTERNATIONAL UNION OF RAILWAYS INTERNATIONAL ROAD TRANSPORT UNION the International Road Transport Union Transport for Sustainable Development The case of Inland Transport 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 Transport for Sustainable Development - The case of Inland Transport Transport for for 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. 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 The case of inland transportThe 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 Sustainable Development 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: [email protected] 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: [email protected] Website: http://www.unece.org UNITED NATIONS ISBN 978-92-1-117096-2 Designed and Printed at United Nations, Geneva – 1516710 (E) – September 2015 – 976 – ECE/TRANS/251 Transport for Sustainable Development The case of Inland Transport This publication is part of the Transport Trends and Economics Series UNITED NATIONS New York and Geneva, 2015 © 2015 United Nations All rights reserved worldwide Requests to reproduce excerpts or to photocopy should be addressed to the Copyright Clearance Center at copyright.com. All other queries on rights and licenses, including subsidiary rights, should be addressed to: United Nations Publications, 300 East 42nd St, New York, NY 10017, United States of America. Email: [email protected]; website: un.org/publications United Nations’ publication issued by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Maps and country reports are only for information purposes. ECE/TRANS/251 ISBN: 978-92-1-117096-2 eISBN: 978-92-1-057518-8 Sales No. E.15.II.E.12 Foreword I commend the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe for initiating and producing this paper in cooperation with the United Nations Regional Commissions with support from the International Road Transport Union and the International Union of Railways. This publication comes at a critical moment for the international community as leaders adopt the 2030 Agenda, our vision for sustainable development and a life of dignity for all. The growing transport sector is an essential component of economic and social development, linking markets and facilitating trade. Transport is an important source of revenue and major employer. Success in achieving many of the Sustainable Development Goals will require affordable, efficient and environmentally sound transport systems. At the same time, the transport sector consumes significant energy resources, generating air and noise pollution as well as greenhouse gas emissions. We need more political commitment to foster a low-carbon transport future. We also need action to reduce road crashes and other traffic accidents. This study demonstrates that there are solutions. Our challenge is to share lessons and take action. We must generate more innovations to meet demands for mobility and transport while reducing their negative impacts. I recommend this publication to officials in government, industry and academia as well as others interested in how to optimize transport to build a better future for all. 15 September 2015 Ban Ki-moon Secretary-General of the United Nations III Transport for Sustainable Development – The case of Inland Transport IV Acknowledgements This publication was prepared under the leadership of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), in cooperation with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNECLAC), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UNESCWA) – and contains sector specific contributions prepared by the International Road Transport Union(IRU) and the International Union of Railways (UIC). The study was prepared by a team comprising of UN, IRU and UIC staff and other partners that contributed to the study, provided comments and delivered representative case studies. Among the major contributors and authors are Prof. A. F. Velegrakis (University of the Aegean, Greece) and Nikola Sahovic (University of Coimbra, Portugal). The authors and the team worked under the guidance of and benefited from significant contributions by Eva Molnar, Director of UNECE Sustainable Transport Division, Miodrag Pesut, Chief of Transport Facilitation and Economics Section, and George Georgiadis, Secretary of the Inland Transport Committee. For their invaluable contributions and comments, the team thanks Stephen N. Karingi and Tama R. Lisinge (UNECA), Francesco Dionori, Olivier Kervella, Victoria Ivanova, Nenad Nikolic, Walter Nissler and Christopher Smith (UNECE), Azhar Jaimurzina and Ricardo Sanchez (UNECLAC), Yuwei Li and Thanattaporn Rasamit (UNESCAP), Adel Al-Ghaberi (UNESCWA), Jens Hugel and Umberto de Pretto (IRU) and Andrea Braschi, Nicholas Craven, Jean-Pierre Loubinoux and Vincent Vu (UIC). In addition, the team would like to express gratitude to all colleagues who contributed inputs and provided advice and support during the course of preparation this publication and particularly to the editors Violet Yee and Bentley Jensen and the team assistant, Anastasia Barinova (UNECE). V Transport for Sustainable Development – The case of Inland Transport VI Table of Contents Foreword .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. III Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................................................................................... V List of Acronyms .............................................................................................................................................................................................. X Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................................................................................... XV 1. Sustainable Development and Transport ........................................................ 1 1.1 Sustainable Development .......................................................................................................................................