The transport sector and mobility in general have an
essential and positive role to play in economic
and social development, and transportation needs will undoubtedly increase. Over the next 20
years, transportation is expected to be the major driving force behind a growing world demand for
energy. The transport sector is the largest end-user of energy in developed countries and the
fastest growing one in most developing countries. Current patterns of transportation with their
dominant patterns of energy use are not sustainable and on present trends may compound the
environmental problems the world is facing and the health impacts referred to in paragraph 25
above. There is a need for:
(a)
The promotion of integrated transport policies that consider alternative approaches to
meeting commercial and private mobility needs and improve performance in the transport
sector at the national, regional and global levels, and particularly a need to encourage
international cooperation in the transfer of environmentally sound technologies in the
transport sector and implementation of appropriate training programmes in accordance with
national programmes and priorities;
(b)
The integration of land use and urban, peri-urban and rural transport planning, taking into
account the need to protect ecosystems;
(c)
The adoption and promotion, as appropriate, of measures to mitigate the negative impact
of transportation on the environment, including measures to improve efficiency in the
transportation sector;
(d)
The use of a broad spectrum of policy instruments to improve energy efficiency and
efficiency standards in transportation and related sectors;
(e)
The continuation of studies in the appropriate fora, including the International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO), on the use of economic instruments for the mitigation of the
negative environmental impact of aviation in the context of sustainable development;
(f)
Accelerating the phasing-out of the use of leaded gasoline as soon as possible, in pursuit
of the objectives of reducing the severe health impacts of human exposure to lead. In this
regard technological and economic assistance should continue to be provided to developing
countries in order to enable them to make such a transition;
(g)
The promotion of voluntary guidelines for environmentally friendly transport, and actions
for reducing vehicle emissions of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, partic-
ulate matter and volatile organic compounds, as soon as possible;
(h)
Partnerships at the national level, involving Governments,local authorities, non-
governmental organizations and the private sector, for strengthening transport infrastructures
and developing innovative mass transport schemes.
