31 January 2013: A review document by the Partnership on Sustainable, Low Carbon Transport (SLoCaT) considers megatrends in transport, the Partnership’s effectiveness towards realizing its objectives, and future directions. The review document was prompted by the 2009 Partnership mandate to review progress within three years of its establishment.

Regarding megatrends in sustainable transport, the document, titled “Where Does SLoCaT Stand in Realizing Sustainable Transport?”, outlines key global developments including the: rapidly growing motorization in the developing world; increased rate of motorcycle use; growth of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT); renaissance in cycling; and enhanced awareness of the importance of freight transport for its contribution to economic development.

The review document compares megatrends with the 2009 SLoCaT objectives, concluding that successful activities have been undertaken while unfinished agendas still remain. The promotion of transport at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and successful engagement with the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) were cited as two instances of successful activity for SLoCaT.

Regarding future directions, the document identifies the need for a larger critical mass to engage in awareness raising and to move away from the loose network structure with limited secretariat capacity. The document concludes that a more defined organizational structure can enhance the ability for the Partnership to engage with the relevant global, regional and national policy making on sustainable, low carbon transport.

SLoCaT is a voluntary multi-stakeholder initiative that contributes to the implementation of Agenda 21, Rio+5 and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI). The SLoCaT Partnership, an initiative of over 58 organizations, is a registered partnership with the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD). [Publication: Where Does SLoCaT Stand in Realizing Sustainable Transport?]