4 December 2014: Participants explored how technology is unlocking mitigation potential in the transport sector at an event convened on the sidelines of the Lima Climate Change Conference. Policymakers at the event explained how technological advancements can support Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) and Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) under the UNFCCC, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) International Transport Forum (ITF) and the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) organized the event, ‘Mitigation Potential of Urban Sustainable Low-Carbon Transport: Priorities for INDCs, NAMAs and SDGs.’ Speakers highlighted that transforming the transport sector is critical to keep global warming below 2°C.

Shewangizaw Kifle, Ethiopian Railways Corporation, discussed climate finance for light-rail transit development in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to meet the country’s aspiration of becoming a carbon-neutral green economy by 2025. He noted that funding secured through the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) has increased operational revenues and that Ethiopia is preparing a NAMA framework to access future climate finance.

Rodrigo Alejandro Nieto Enríquez, Under Secretary for Urban Development and Housing, Mexico, said the real challenge is transforming consumption patterns and social attitudes towards transport. Noting that municipal governments are responsible for public transport, he said NAMAs can help generate resources and technical support. He called for exploring innovative approaches, such as a “housing exchange” to cut down commuting distances for urban workers.

Cornie Huizenga, Secretary General, Partnership on Sustainable, Low Carbon Transport (SLoCaT) called for a “reality check” in the green transport debate, observing that a focus on zero-emission cars will merely lead to “clean congestion.” Stressing that policy makers do not base their decisions on climate considerations alone, he urged focusing on country-level modeling and capacity building in order to generate more policy-relevant data.

During the discussion, participants suggested, inter alia: going beyond “the usual suspects” in transport studies, for example by carrying out studies of people who are less mobile; improving coordination of funds generated through NAMAs; recognizing that efficiency gains and cost savings from green transport will require high up-front investment costs; and learning from successful anti-smoking campaigns to change behavior. [IISD RS ENBOTS Coverage] [IISD RS Coverage of Lima Climate Change Conference] [ITF Website] [ITDP Website]