Climate and Transport Policy

Helping decision-makers make better decisions.

ITDP’s work on climate and transport policy aims to ensure that global institutions enable, and favor socially, economically and environmentally sustainable transportation.

As the effects of rapid economic development and urbanization place an ever greater strain on transportation networks worldwide, the traditional practices used to meet the rising demand are becoming increasingly unsustainable. The costs associated with a growing automobile fleet and increasing road network capacity include air and noise pollution, accidents, congestion, social inequality, and climate change. Transportation currently causes 23% of energy-related CO2 emissions, and without changes in policy, is projected to grow to 80% by 2050.

In the absence of a global agreement to limit greenhouse gases (GHGs), many countries and individual cities are setting their own goals and taking action to mitigate emissions and adapt to climate change. While the sustainable transportation plans, policies and technologies needed to mitigate climate change have been demonstrated at scale, only concerted international action, expert guidance and financial support will disseminate them to thousands of cities worldwide.

ITDP works on three tracks to support, develop, and expand sustainable transportation policies:

• Developing better tools to evaluate the impacts of transportation investments, policies, and choices on the environment.
• Shifting funding and priorities of global organizations and development banks to support sustainable transport and urban development.
• Influencing national transport and urban development policies and funding to support timely development of institutions to scale-up sustainable transport.