To support the transition to climate-smart mobility, the World Bank, the government of the Netherlands, and WRI have jointly developed a new series of publications and events that aim to deliver actionable recommendations, with a focus on overcoming investment barriers and developing innovative financial instruments to decarbonize transport. The Transport Decarbonization Investment series will include a total of six papers to be launched in the leadup to the COP26 Climate Conference.

Targeted and more efficient interventions are required to answer the call for decarbonizing transport and enhancing the international community’s understanding of how specific investments and innovative finance solutions can create the conditions for market uptake of climate smart solutions across transport sectors.

With the percentage of the world’s urban population expected to rise from 50% to 70% by 2050, cities are increasingly at the frontier for climate action. This creates both challenges and opportunities for decoupling urban transport demand growth and greenhouse gas emissions. In line with the series’ objectives, this event launches the fourth discussion paper in the Transport Decarbonization Investment series, which examines the importance of incorporating active mobility – the most environmentally friendly and economical modes of transport – as a critical aspect of policy to decarbonize the transport sector.

With over 50% of trips in cities being under 10km, active mobility can offer an effective and desirable alternative to a large market segment, provided investments are strategically targeted in enhancing public spaces (side-walks, cycle-lanes, bike storage) and moving away from the traditional vehicle-orientated approach. The event is open to policymakers, urban planners, transport and energy experts, researchers, and the wider public and private sector stakeholders interested in the accelerated decarbonization of cities through a holistic approach to transport planning and land use policy.

Speakers:

  • Binyam Reja, Global Practice Manager and Acting Global Director, Transport Global Practice, World Bank Group
  • Felipe Targa, Senior Urban Transport Specialist, World Bank Group
  • Claudia Adriazola-Steil, Director, Health and Road Safety, and Acting Director, Urban Mobility, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities
  • Nicolás Estupiñán, Secretary of Mobility, Bogotá
  • Manuel de Araújo, Mayor, Quelimane City
  • Jill Warren, CEO, European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF)
  • Geert Van Waeg, President, International Federation of Pedestrians
  • Nicolas Peltier-Thiberge, Practice Manager for Latin America and the Caribbean, Transport Global Practice, World Bank Group