THE CLEAN AND GREEN CHOICE!
Sustainable transport is encouraged as a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. It is also crucial in promoting trade, connectivity, employment, and economic growth. Sustainable development can be achieved through sustainable transport. In a 2016 report of the Secretary General’s High-Level Advisory Group, sustainable transport was defined as the provision of services and infrastructure that was used for the mobility of goods and people to advance economic and social development that would benefit the current as well as future generations. This would be done in a safe. Affordable efficient and resilient manner that would minimize the carbon emissions and reduce the negative environmental impacts.
Sustainable transport is a means to achieve sustainable development and is not an end in itself. Sustainable transport grants universal access, enhances safety, reduces environmental and climate impact, and better resilience and efficiency which are crucial for sustainable development. It also provides services and infrastructure for the mobility of goods and people and is a crosscutting accelerator, that can facilitate progress towards other crucial goals – namely the eradication of poverty in all its dimensions, it can reduce inequality, it can empower women, and even fighting climate change.
Commuting is an important and integral part of one’s life. We have several modes of transport which we choose from – flying, biking, driving, ferrying, or using public transportation to name a few. Our choices have a great impact on carbon emissions and the air quality. The importance of safe, accessible, and affordable sustainable transport systems for supporting sustainable economic growth that would improve the social welfare of the people and enhance cooperation and trade between countries was recognized by the General Assembly and November 26th was declared as World Sustainable Transport Day.
Stakeholders were invited by the Assembly to mark World Sustainable Transport Day by holding events that aimed at enhancing public knowledge on sustainable transport issues. The importance of cooperation in enhancing transport connectivity through an integrated intermodal transport system with the help of developing reliable, resilient, and quality infrastructure, that aimed at exchanging best practices to develop interconnected highways, waterways, railways, and other modes that helped reduce the consumption of energy, generated lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduced ozone-depleting substances and other sources of pollution. The main objective was to create a positive social impact.
Enhancing intermodal transport connectivity, promoting environment-friendly transportation, and developing a socially inclusive transport infrastructure to aid other aspects of transport sustainability were kept in mind.
The Assembly invited stakeholders to mark World Sustainable Transport Day using education and the holding of events aimed at enhancing the knowledge of the public on sustainable transport issues, in particular enhancing intermodal transport connectivity, promoting environmentally friendly transportation, developing socially inclusive transport infrastructure, and other aspects of transport sustainability. Some important facts –
- The average annual carbon footprint per individual is 5.9 tons globally
- If one doesn’t use a car the annual carbon footprint can be reduced by up to 3.6 tons
- If you switch from a regular vehicle to an electric one your carbon footprint can reduce by an average of 2 tons per year.
- The climate crisis can be beaten by green transport The onus of limiting climate change rests on each individual. The way we travel, the way we use electricity the food we eat, and the things we buy can all make a difference. The roadways of the world are clogged with vehicles, with a lot of diesel or gasoline being burnt.
By adopting a simple measure like riding a bike we can help limit climate change. From the way we travel to the electricity we use, the food we eat, and the things we buy, we can make a difference. The world’s roadways are clogged with vehicles, most of them burning diesel or gasoline.
Walking or riding a bike instead of driving we can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and also improve our health and fitness. By declaring 26th November as World Sustainable Transport Day, the UN has encouraged the promotion of sustainable transport to address global challenges. The resolution acts as a catalyst that will help enhance intermodal transport connectivity, promote environment-friendly transportation, and develop socially inclusive infrastructure.
These efforts and measures are directed towards ensuring a cleaner, greener, and healthier future for the whole world. This initiative can only be successful if the acceptance of sustainable, low-emission, and energy-efficient modes of transport gains ground. These will also play a crucial role in achieving the SDGs as laid out by the United Nations.
The UN’s recognition of World Sustainable Transport Day must be adhered to by international institutions, the private sector, NGOs, and individuals for maximum efficacy and success. It is an opportune time on World Sustainable Transport Day to reflect on the transportation choices available and choose sustainable modes of transport that will propel people and organizations towards a more equitable world. The SDG for public transport states that by 2030, access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all, must be provided.
This will improve road safety, and expand public transport, by paying special attention to the needs of those in situations that are vulnerable for example, women, children, persons with disabilities, and older persons. The importance of sustainable transport depicts itself in its contribution to the reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions which are very damaging and deadly and impact the environment. The usage of sustainable transport decreases atmospheric pollution and improves the air quality in cities.
Walking, cycling, public transport, car sharing, and electric/hybrid vehicles are all sustainable transport examples. Despite significant investments to improve public transport, active travel options, and other eco-transport methods, personal vehicles remain the dominant mode of transport. The World Sustainable Transport Day resolution was adopted by consensus of the co-sponsorship of 67 states. The first-ever World Sustainable Transport Day this year will raise awareness and educate the public by fostering international cooperation on the address of urgent issues related to sustainability in transport. It will enhance environment-friendly transport options. This day is poised as a forerunner and a firm and dedicated step toward a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future.
