Global freight demand is estimated to triple between 2015 and 2050. The ability to move goods efficiently has become the lifeblood of economic development, particularly in cities which generate over 80 percent of global GDP and an estimated 75 percent of global emissions. As cities continue to grow at an unprecedented rate, increasing freight movements present unique urban challenges including congestion, air pollution, traffic accidents and a host of other negative impacts on the mobility system.

To mitigate the adverse impacts and meet the Paris climate goals, it is imperative for cities to apply sustainable principles for moving goods. “EcoLogistics” promotes clean, sustainable, efficient and safe urban freight through collaborative efforts in stakeholder engagement; technologies, policies and land use planning and inspire local governments to transform their urban freight system.

This panel launched the eight foundational principles for local governments to follow leading the transition to sustainable urban freight developed by ICLEI and partners. The chair of EcoLogistics Community (the first city network globally committed to a sustainable urban freight future) Taoyuan will be adopting the principles to make the urban freight in city sustainable.

Through the session, attendees got insights on:

• The readiness of a city to implement sustainable urban freight solutions
• The starting point while planning for urban freight
• How cities can work with stakeholders towards sustainable urban freight
• Stakeholder engagement for policy interventions on sustainable urban freight

Facilitator

• Beatrice Ch’ng, Senior Officer Sustainable Mobility, ICLEI World Secretariat, Germany

Moderator

• Monika Zimmermann, Mobility Expert and Former Deputy Secretary General of ICLEI, Germany

Speakers

• Art Pearce, Director of Policy Planning and Projects, Bureau of Transportation, City of Portland, USA (Download slides)
• Nico de Golia, Associate, Business for Social Responsibility (BSR), San Francisco, USA (Download slides)
• Shri. K.R. Jyothilal, Principle Secretary for Transport, Government of Kerala State, India (Download slides)