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Transport & Climate

The transport sector produces 23 percent of global energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Despite ongoing technological and fuel-economy improvements the figure is projected to increase by 50 percent by 2035 and almost double by 2050 because of increasing demand.

A special report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) underscores the urgency of reducing emissions significantly and rapidly achieving the 1.5 degree Celsius scenario called for in the Paris Agreement. Given that the transport sector is one of the main sources of emissions, many countries and cities have set their goals and taken steps to mitigating emissions and adapting to climate change.

ICLEI works alongside local and regional governments to anticipate and respond to challenges. Key activities include:

We form strategic alliances with international organizations, national governments, academic and financial institutions, civil society and the private sector. Together with partners such as Partnership on Sustainable, Low Carbon Transport (SLoCaT), we push for robust transport policies that reflect the interests of local and regional governments and apply global policies to sustainable urban development strategies and climate change.

We actively participate in global events, contributing to local and regional dialogues to develop, support and expand sustainable transportation plans and policies.

ICLEI’s EcoMobility World Festival turns a neighborhood into an ecomobile, car-free zone for one month. The Festival and coincides with a global congress to spark debate on low emission, human-centered and city-friendly mobility and advocate for low carbon transportation.

We apply sustainability principles for moving goods and build capacity across local governments to develop low carbon urban freight policies and practices, taking a multilevel governance approach designed to shape national policy recommendations.