7 December 2015: The UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Advisory Group on Sustainable Transport, including leaders from the public and private sectors and representing all modes of transport, met with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, government representatives and other stakeholders on the sidelines of the Paris Climate Change Conference, aiming to advance implementation of climate-related solutions. The 16 members of the Group asserted that, through innovation in operations, policy and technology, the transport sector can lower emissions while ensuring access to markets, services and social interaction for people.

The meeting took place on 7 December 2015, in Paris, France.

Noting that transport is currently responsible for nearly a quarter of global energy-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, Ban said the Group “can help make sustainable transport a part of the solution to the climate crisis.”

Carolina Toha, Mayor of Santiago, Chile, and co-chair of the Advisory Group, stressed the need for a large-scale shift in transport in large cities, rural areas and all around the world.

Martin Lundstedt, CEO of the Volvo Group and co-chair of the Advisory Group, emphasized that transport of freight and passengers has the potential to drive progress on climate change and advance sustainable development. He underlined the need for bold innovation and true partnership among governments, civil society and the private sector.

During its three-year mandate, the Advisory Group is expected to provide policy recommendations on sustainable transport actionable at the global, national, local and sector levels, and to promote the integration of sustainable transport in development strategies and policies, including in climate action, in order to contribute to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). [UN Press Release] [Advisory Group Webpage] [IISD RS Story on Advisory Group Position Paper]