As per ITF projections, to provide the core infrastructure for the high ambition scenario in the report would require about 5 per cent less investment than under current policies
Transport ministers from 64 member countries of the International Transport Forum (ITF) have gathered for a summit at Leipzig, Germany, from May 24-26, 2023.
At the event themed ‘Transport Enabling Sustainable Economies’, ministers will discuss themes ranging from climate change to Ukraine and supply chain resilience to active mobility.
Over 1,300 delegates from around 80 countries are likely to participate. The UK holds the Presidency. The summit is administratively integrated with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), yet politically autonomous.
Acting now and decarbonising transportation can reduce the need for investment in core infrastructure like roads, railways and more ports. Also, help in achieving the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement.
A mix of policies is needed to promote sustainable choices in different contexts. In a transport decarbonisation context, this means investing in public transport infrastructure.
And to invest in policies that support the move to transport modes with higher occupancy or load factors, and more compact cities. This approach could potentially save governments from spending $4 trillion globally on road maintenance and investment.
Accelerated action in the transport sector can reduce its CO2 emissions by about 80 per cent over the next 25 years (compared to 2019). This would put transport on the right path for limiting the global temperature increase to “well below” 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
This is something which is the goal of the Paris Climate Agreement. Reaching this high-ambition scenario will require a combination of complementary policies that successfully avoid unnecessary transport activity like shifting more trips from fuel-burning to no-carbon transport.
As per ITF projections, to provide the core infrastructure for the high ambition scenario in the report would require about 5 per cent less investment than under current policies.
Comparing investment needs under Current Ambition scenario with High Ambition scenario reveals: a strong push for decarbonising transport is in fact not more expensive.
The total capital investment needs of core infrastructure for road, rail, airports and ports are five per cent lower with ambitious policies in place. This, against carrying on with business as usual.
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