On 16 March 2010, transport experts, municipal authorities from major cities across Asia and international organizations have gathered in forum on “Climate Change Mitigation, Fuel Efficiency and Sustainable Urban Transport” held in Seoul (Korea) by United Nations

On the two-day forum (16-17 March), the representatives examine how a well-integrated system of buses, subways and trains can contribute to sustainable development.

The meeting takes place at a time when more people are living in cities than ever before, and when more people are looking to own cars. The transport sector is emerging as the fastest growing source of global greenhouse gases – more than 23 per cent of emissions in 2006, according to the UN Department for Economic and Social Affairs (DESA).

The meeting in Seoul also features recent studies showing the benefits of well-planned public transport systems, including saving time, reducing fuel use and promoting community health.

 

 Mr. Tariq Banuri, Director of DESA’s Division on Sustainable Development, said that it was no coincidence this meeting is being held in Seoul that has the most effective public transport system in the world. He hoped that the representatives would witness how beneficial such a sustainable public transport can be for 10 million people in central Seoul .

According to DESA, the key components necessary for viable and sustainable transport systems are financing, technology transfer and capacity building. However, Mr. Banuri noted there is no common approach or easy solution for all cities. Each country and each city will have to formulate its own approach, taking into account local circumstances, conditions and opportunities.

Mr. Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), has pointed out that the transport plays the role in causing greenhouse gas emissions; any serious action on climate change will zoom in on the transport sector. He appealed to countries not to keep making “the wrong type of decisions” caused by pressure of car producers.

Mr. Yvo de Boer cited as example car manufacturers actively blocking the introduction of fuel efficiency standards in California, United States . He noted that several have presented highly efficient show cars with minimal fuel consumption and “we now need to see these cars on the road, replacing today’s gas-guzzlers”./.

                                                                      VNA

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