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SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY FOR ALL

Implementing the SDGs

Sustainable transport and mobility is one that is universal, efficient, safe, and green. These are the four goals that SuM4All finds essential to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and build a better future for the planet. 

The contribution of transport to economic development and human capital is undeniable. Transport shapes our lifestyles and underpins everything that we do—the way people travel to work or leisure, how businesses send employees to meet customers, and how firms ship products to distribution centers. Our lives and livelihoods depend on mobility.    

However, the prevailing global mobility system clearly is unsustainable, and transport does not have a dedicated SDG, yet it plays a critical role in enabling other SDGs and achieving growth and development. For example, without reliable and sustainable transport systems, young people cannot attend school (SDG 4), women cannot access opportunities for employment and empowerment (SDG 5),  and the world cannot achieve curtail greenhouse gas emissions (SDG 13). In the face of climate change, transport also serves as a lifeline for vulnerable communities affected by natural disasters - enabling the injured to receive medical treatment, and humanitarian cargo to reach those who need it most.

If transport is so crucial, could poor performance in the sector be the root cause of slow progress on the SDGs?   

A clear correlation exists between the attainment of SDGs and the quality of a country’s transport system: countries with the highest scores on the SDGs have more robust and sustainable transport systems in place, while those with the lowest fall down for their inadequate transport system. South Africa, which shows relatively poor performance on SDGs, ranks 112 out of 183 countries in the world in terms of sustainable mobility. This finding reinforces the centrality of Transport and sustainable mobility in reaching the SDGs.

Two out of a hundred and sixty-nine SDG targets are directly transport-related.

  • Target 3.6 By 2020, halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents.

  • Target 11. 2 Aims to, by 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations - women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons.

Fifteen out of a hundred and sixty-nine SDG targets are indirectly related to the transport sector. Hover over the icon below to find out more about the SDG targets associated with each key policy goal needed to achieve the sustainable mobility in the world.  

 

Target 7.3:

By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency

 

Target 9.1:

Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all

 

Target 9.4:

By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities

 

Target 12.3:

By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses

 

Target 12.c:

Rationalize inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption by removing market distortions, in accordance with national circumstances, including by restructuring taxation and phasing out those harmful subsidies, where they exist, to reflect their environmental impacts, taking fully into account the specific needs and conditions of developing countries and minimizing the possible adverse impacts on their development in a manner that protects the poor and the affected communities.

 

Target 17.14:

Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development.

 

Target 13.2:

Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning

 

Target 13.1:

Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries

 

Target 11.6:

By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management

 

Target 9.4:

By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities

 

Target 7.3:

By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency

 

Target 3.9:

By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination

 

Target 3.4:

By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.

 

Target 11.2:

By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons

 

Target 3.6:

By 2020, halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents

 

Target 5.1:

End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere

 

Target 5.2:

Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation

 

Target 5.5:

Ensure women's full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decisionmaking in political, economic and public life

 

Target 9.1:

Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all

 

Target 11.2:

By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons