Sparking active mobility actions for climate-friendly cities

Walking and cycling are often overlooked in city planning despite their growing importance as the most affordable, resilient, and clean form of transport. The “Sparking active mobility actions for climate-friendly cities” project aims to promote active mobility strategies, policies and practices contributing to avoiding greenhouse gas emissions, improving safe connectivity in cities, and promoting climate-friendly mobility behavior in the Philippines.

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Due to the growing urbanization, economy, and motorization, greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector in the Philippines are projected to double by 2030. Transportation is responsible for 80% of air pollution emissions, costing 1.9% of GDP, and 27,000 premature deaths. Active mobility has the potential to reduce 3.46 million tons of emissions in highly urbanized cities while contributing to public health, equity, and green socio-economic recovery.

In response to the pandemic, cities in the Philippines are paying more attention to active mobility; however, cities need to overcome challenges such as limited data, lack of political support, limited capacity for local policy, and planning to move towards climate-friendly mobility systems. Resilient, equitable transport systems must become the norm. Walking and cycling, in particular, have been catalysts for redesigning streets and generating momentum toward people-centered cities.

Project approach

The overarching goal of the SPARK project is to increase the role of active mobility in building resilient and safe transport systems, contribute to national emission reduction targets, and promote climate-friendly mobility behavior in the Philippines. To achieve this goal, the project will work with two selected cities through four work packages:

UNDERSTAND CITIES’ CONTEXT AND ENGAGE STAKEHOLDERS

DESIGN MODEL INTERVENTIONS AND ENHANCE CAPACITY

USE TACTICAL URBANISM AND OPEN DATA TO JUMPSTART IMPLEMENTATION

SCALE TACTICAL URBANISM AND DISSEMINATE GLOBALLY

Project partners

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ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability is the implementing partner. ICLEI World Secretariat is responsible for general project management and coordination. ICLEI Southeast Asia Secretariat is responsible for building political support at the national and sub-national levels and promoting city and community engagement.

The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) is an international non-government group advancing fair climate policy and low-carbon, climate-resilient development. Based in the Philippines, it is engaged with the wider international climate and energy policy arena, particularly in Asia. It is recognized for its role in helping advance effective global climate action and the Paris climate agreement.

Any person who believes they may be harmed by an IKI project or who wish to report corruption or the misuse of funds, can lodge a complaint to the IKI Independent Complaint Mechanism at IKI-complaints@z-u-g.org. The IKI complaint mechanism has a panel of independent experts who will investigate the complaint. In the course of the investigation, we will consult with the complainant so as to avoid unnecessary risks for the complainant. More information can be found at: https://www.international-climate-initiative.com/en/about-iki/values-responsibility/independent-complaint-mechanism/

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