The International Transport Forum (ITF) of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development holds its Annual Summit between May 24 and 26, bringing together representatives of governments, the private sector, academia and civil society to share perspectives on the role of transport as a key enabler of inclusive and sustainable economic development.
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), in collaboration with the ITF, held a round table with the delegations of the Latin American and Caribbean countries that participate in the Annual Summit of this Forum. The main theme was “Low-carbon transport for equitable growth”, which aimed to highlight the achievements and potential of the decarbonization of the transport sector in Latin America and the Caribbean, discuss the challenges and possible opportunities for a cleaner transport, and identify policies and projects at the forefront of efficient and equitable mobility with low carbon emissions in the region.
The IDB provides technical assistance for the generation and implementation of public policies for decarbonization and adaptation of transportation to climate change, facilitates the exchange of knowledge, and promotes collective action in the region. “We are facing an unprecedented challenge for the sector: in less than a decade we have to generate a systemic change that places us on the path of emissions that is compatible with the sustainability of the planet. At the IDB we are fully committed to working with the countries of the region to address this important task together,” said Ana María Pinto, Chief of the IDB Transportation Division.
“The role of the ITF is to foster dialogue between Ministers on the grand challenges of mobility, and there is no greater challenge than achieving climate goals through a just transition to zero-emission transport,” said ITF General Secretary Young Tae Kim. .
With 25% of global emissions, transportation is the second largest contributor of CO2 derived from fuel combustion. Although the region has a small share of the total CO2 emissions from the transport sector worldwide (9%), it has been increasing, going from 281 Mt of CO2 in 1990 to 595 Mt of CO2 in 2019 (IEA, 2022).
In order to counteract this trend, the countries of the region have launched plans to promote electric mobility, encourage the modal change to rail transport and improve the quality of public transport, among others. “From the transport sector we must take determined and bold actions that aim at its decarbonization, and this is not only promoting the electrification of our vehicles, where from Chile we have made important advances in the electrification of public transport. It is also, in order of priority, to reduce the number of trips, prioritize public transport through a better quality of service, promote non-motorized modes and, lastly, generate technological changes in our fleets”, said the Minister of Transport and Telecommunications of Chile, Juan Carlos Muñoz.
Renan Filho, Minister of Transport of Brazil, stated that “the way we think about transport infrastructure in Brazil is to reconcile sustainability with investments in highways and railways. This balance is essential to advance in a green and resilient infrastructure, which is the basis for the integration of countries and growth with social justice”. It is through these actions that the LAC countries advance in the fulfillment of the goals established in their Nationally Determined Contributions, within the framework of the objectives established in the Paris Agreement to limit global warming below 2 degrees. Celsius – preferably 1.5 degrees Celsius – compared to pre-industrial levels.
Likewise, during the Summit, the multilateral development banks announced that they had reached a contribution of US$ 3.6 billion for road safety projects in developing countries in the period 2018-2022. Every year, road accidents cause 1.35 million deaths globally, 93% of these cases occurring in developing countries. The IDB is committed to working with the governments of Latin America and the Caribbean to overcome this global health crisis and achieve the United Nations goal of halving road fatalities in the region by 2030.
About the IDB
The Inter-American Development Bank’s mission is to improve lives. Founded in 1959, the IDB is one of the main sources of long-term financing for economic, social, and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The IDB also conducts cutting-edge research projects and offers policy advice, technical assistance, and training to public and private clients.
