Sustainable Urban Mobility in the NDCs: The Essential Role of Public Transport

Document Type

Working Paper

Publication Date

2022

Subject Area

place - north america, place - urban, mode - bus, technology - alternative fuels, technology - emissions, policy - sustainable, infrastructure - fleet management, infrastructure - vehicle

Keywords

Urban, Public transport, Bus electrification

Abstract

More robust measures on transport decarbonization are needed by 2030 to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, including reducing vehicle kilometers travelled and electrifying vehicles. Sustainable modes of travel, such as public transport, can and must play a crucial role in reducing the growth of private motor vehicle use, while at the same time bus fleets must be electrified.

According to our analysis, 100 out of 142 first- and second-round Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted as of December 2021 mention public transport, but only 26 identify targets. Stronger, more ambitious targets will be needed to address sub-national mitigation actions, as well as matched implementation through national policies.

Finally, five key areas of implementation are identified to encourage more effective NDCs, namely:

  • Commit to public transport infrastructure and operations
  • Bus electrification
  • Adaptation
  • Broader sustainability measures in urban transport
  • Cross-sectoral and sub-national coordination

Rights

Copyright remains with World Resources Institute.

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