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LEDS GP Transport Working Group factsheet (October 2015)

4pm, October 10th, 2015

Countries facing significantly increasing demand for transport services over the coming decades have a unique opportunity to meet this demand and enable economic growth minimizing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Sustainable transport systems are based on minimizing travel; shifting to more environmentally (as well as socially and economically) sustainable mobility; and improving transport technologies, fuels, and institutions. The Low Emission Development Strategies Global Partnership (LEDS GP) Transport Working Group provides technical assistance, tools, and training on strategies that support low-emission development in transport systems.

The Working Group is building a LEDS transport community, supporting champions and innovators, creating networks of experts on low-emission transport, and exploring opportunities for collaboration at local and regional levels.

The Avoid-Shift-Improve approach to sustainable transportation system development
The traditional approach to developing transportation systems has focused on expanding infrastructure—building new roads, rails,
and vehicles to meet growing demand. This approach has led to proliferating sprawl, traffic congestion and associated economic impacts, costs to public health from reduced local air quality and increased accidents, and direct and indirect costs of global climate change impacts.

Sustainable transport system development is based on an Avoid-Shift-Improve (ASI) approach—which moves the focus to the policies and behaviors behind the demand for transport. LEDS prioritizes solutions that seek to “avoid” or reduce trips through the integration of land use and transport planning; that “shift” to more efficient and less carbon intensive modes such as public transport, walking and bicycling; and that “improve” the environmental efficiency from each kilometer traveled by enhancing vehicle and fuel technology. This approach addresses the long-term root of problems rather than marginally improving the status quo.

For more information on the approaches and activities of the Transport Working Group, including contact details and how to get involved, please download the factsheet at right.

Authors

LEDS GP Transport Working Group
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