Bridging the Gap | News

GTZ presents Background Paper "Beyond the Fossil City" at 5th EST Forum in Bangkok

2010-08-30T00:00:00Z

The increasing motorization and urbanization together with the oil dependence of the transport sector lead to considerable growth rates of carbon emissions. GTZ prepared a background paperd "Beyond the Fossil City: Towards Low Carbon Transport and Green Growth" to the 5th Regional EST Forum held in Bangkok, Thailand, 23-25 August 2010 shows how low-carbon transportation policies could help countries to achieve sustainable growth. Sustainable Development Policies and Measures in the transport sector include a variety of co-benefits that can be implemented at reasonable costs and can promote economic growth and social stability.

The Regional Forum on Environmentally Sustainable Transport (EST) provides a strategic platform between the governments and the selected experts who meet periodically to discuss various EST related issues and share best practices/experiences. The experts of the Forum provide strategic guidance to the participating countries (ASEAN + 4) in the relevant EST areas, including the formulation of national EST strategies. The final output of the 2010 Forum was the Bangkok Declaration.

Experts Call For Urgent Transport Financing Changes ASAP

2010-08-27T00:00:00Z

At a meeting today of top transportation and environment leaders from two dozen governments across Asia, key experts said changes in how transport is financed are essential if cities and nations are to deal effectively with the rapid growth in motor vehicle traffic and related environmental and health problems, including climate change.

GTZ Sourcebook Module on Financing Sustainable Urban Transport is out now!

2010-08-27T00:00:00Z

Urban transport has historically not received the attention, careful planning and financial support it deserves in order to function in a sustainable manner. As a step to address this issue, this new GTZ Sourcebook module provides detailed information on available options for financing urban transport. It presents different financing instruments and ways in which they can be best used, and how to optimally combine them. This module is dedicated to policy makers, financial sector specialists and urban planners/practitioners working on key challenges related to financing urban transport systems.

In this module, the author, Mr. Ko Sakamoto, Senior Transport Consultant at the UK Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) and an expert in the field of finance, builds upon work done earlier by Dr. Gerhard Metschies.
This document also has substantial research inputs by Mr.Stefan Belka, GTZ.

EVENT: Exploring the wider benefits of carbon reduction in the urban transport sector

2010-08-18T00:00:00Z

The EC's FP7 project CATCH (Carbon Aware Travelling CHoice) is holding a two day workshop on the 15^th and 16^th of November in The Hague (the Netherlands) and would like to invite you to attend. The project is developing an online knowledge platform for decision makers in cities to help them to reduce their transport related GHG emissions by encouraging and facilitating their citizens to make climate friendly travel choices. This workshop will be used to discuss the progress and direction of the project as well as examples of international best practices and analyses of co-benefits. It will also provide opportunities to network with city representatives working in transport and mobility departments and experts and academics in the fields of transport, climate change and behavioural change.

Attendance is free of charge but the number of participants is limited. If you would like to hear more about the event then please contact abinsted@trl.co.uk. Or visit the project website www.carbonaware.eu.

ADB-IDB-SLoCaT release consultants report on transport NAMAs

2010-08-16T00:00:00Z

The Climate Instruments for the Transport Sector (CITS) study, commissioned by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in support of the Partnership on Sustainable, Low Carbon Transport (SLoCaT), gives an assessment of the current state of affairs with regard to the impact on the transport sector in developing countries by the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Clean Technology Fund (CTF). Based on desk analysis and case studies in Asian and Latin American cities, the study also provides recommendations for the successful scale-up of climate finance and capacity building, particularly by the use of Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) for the transport sector.

AWGs conclude in Bonn leaving much homework for October meeting in Tianjin, China

2010-08-06T00:00:00Z

The 13th session of the AWG-KP and the 11th session of the AWG-LCA came to a close late on Friday, 6 August after five days of negotiations. The slow progress seen in both of the AWGs call for an acceleration in the process during the next round of talks to be held in Tianjin China, between 4-9 October - the last of such talks scheduled before the COP16 in Cancun.

The Bridging the Gap Initiative will use the intersessional period to conduct further work in supporting Parties to tap into the large potential of the transport sector in contributing to low carbon, resilient growth.

Revenues from international transport under the spotlight

2010-08-05T00:00:00Z

The fourth day of the ongoing climate talks in Bonn featured a special briefing session on the UN Secretary-General's High-Level Advisory Group on Climate Change Financing. Professor Nicholas Stern of the London School of Economics, a key member of the Group, provided an overview of the potential sources of finance that would help reach the required 100 billion dollars per annum noted within the Copenhagen Accord. Revenues from international transport is one of six major public sources of finance that are being discussed in the work of the Group, in addition to which private sources are also considered. The Group is advancing its work towards delivering a final report by COP16 in Cancun, to help move the issue of financing forward within the UNFCCC process.

Later on in the day, a side event was hosted by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), in which representatives from the Cook Islands and Panama stressed the importance not to treat maritime transport as "a cash cow" for climate action. Presentations and related material available from here - search for "IMO" in the list.

UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres answers questions on transport

2010-08-04T00:00:00Z

As climate talks in Bonn continued into its third day, the new Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, Ms. Christiana Figueres gave an empassioned briefing to civil society, highlighting amongst others her belief that Cancun can mark important progress on key issues including adaptation, the technology mechanism, financial mechanism, REDD and fast track financing.

In answer to a question posed by the Bridging the Gap Initiative on how the transport sector can proactively contribute to the climate process, Ms. Figueres firstly acknowledged that the sector represents on average around 30% of emissions in developing countries, and sometimes even higher. She expressed the transport sector as a "very key sector for the entire world" but one in which investments in the sector cannot be justified only from a climate perspective. She noted the importance of putting together "a basket of arguments" to generate a compelling case for modernising transport systems in developing countries, which would include health, fuel efficiency and savings on fuel costs, enhancing citizens' comfort in cities, and addressing local air pollution.

For this reason, she noted that transport would be one of the key sectors that would benefit from NAMAs (and the financing thereof), which would go beyond offsetting mechanisms such as the CDM. She challenged the sector to look more into such financing opportunities, particularly working with cities who would share a common interest in addressing transport.

Republic of Korea emphasises role of transport in its vision of green growth

2010-08-03T00:00:00Z

As climate talks continue into its second day in Bonn, a side event hosted by the Overseas Environmental Cooperation Center (OECC) of Japan highlighted the developments in several countries including Indonesia, Laos and the Republic of Korea on NAMA formulation and MRV of mitigation actions, and the support provided by Japan and Australia in these efforts.

Mr. Heung Kyeong Park of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea, presented on his country's vision of Green Growth, comprising implementation strategies in four key sectors including transport. The promotion of low emission/high fuel efficiency automobiles, shifting to public transportation/rail/bicycles, hybrid vehicles, bio fuels, electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles feature as part of the sectoral strategy for transport. The promotion of green lifestyles (including eco-driving) was also mentioned.

Parties note the importance of transport in a side event on National Communications

2010-08-02T00:00:00Z

As formal sessions of the climate talks began today with immediate disagreements between countries on the schedule of work, a side event organised by the UNFCCC Secretariat was held to share experiences of several developing countries in preparing their National Communications. Argentina shared the challenges which faced the country in putting together its Second National Communications (SNC), including the lack and inconsistency of data, as well as the limited commitment and participation from various governmental bodies. In the course of preparing the SNC, transport was one of five topics which Argentina focused on, to identify enabling activities for mitigation.

Commenting from the floor, representatives from Bhutan and Timor Leste also noted transport as key sectors which require attention. Bhutan in particular highlighted the increasing congestion due to the rapid growth in the number of vehicles, and shared her experience in managing this growth through vehicle import taxes.

Bridging the Gap opens information stand as climate talks resume in Bonn

2010-08-01T00:00:00Z

The Bridging the Gap Initiative has arrived in Bonn to observe the thirteenth session of the AWG-KP and the eleventh session of the AWG-LCA, which is taking place from Monday, 2 August to Friday, 6 August 2010 at the Hotel Maritim.

The Initiative's work on integrating transport and climate change policy is represented at an information stand (No. 16, directly opposite Saal Beethoven) where delegates are invited to discuss all matters concerning the role of the transportation sector in contributing to low carbon and climate resilient growth. Delegates may also contact Ko Sakamoto (ksakamoto@trl.co.uk / +447827890804) directly, for further information.

United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bonn

2010-07-28T00:00:00Z

The thirteenth session of the AWG-KP and the eleventh session of the AWG-LCAbwill take place from Monday 2 August to Friday, 6 August 2010 at the Hotel Maritim in Bonn.

The sessions will be preceded by preparatory meetings of the Group of 77 and China, the African Group, the small islands developing States and the least developed countries.

World Bank Report on Urban Transport and CO2 emissions in Chinese Cities

2010-07-25T00:00:00Z

The World Bank has published a working paper titled "Urban Transport and CO2 emissions: Some evidence from Chinese cities" that seeks to establish a baseline for carbon dioxide transport-related emissions in China. The paper shows that growth in carbon emissions in transport have so far outpaced the carbon dioxide emission reduction achieved by vehicle efficiency and fuel performance improvements. The study also found that the level of urban transport-related carbon dioxide emissions varies significantly not only among cities of different levels of per capita income, but also among cities of similar income level. This implies that in addition to the motorization level that is generally associated with per capita income, other policy factors such as priority to public transport and restriction on private cars are also significant determinants of carbon dioxide emissions.

ADB Study Offers Framework to Measure and Reduce Carbon Emissions from Transportation Projects

2010-07-18T00:00:00Z

The ADB is the first multilateral development bank to estimate the carbon footprint of its transport sector assistance, which this report identifies as 792 million tons for the projects supported by ADB between 2000-2009, about equal to the annual land transport emissions of Thailand. With the report, ADB breaks new ground in identifying various ways to measure how much its transport sector activities contribute to climate change as a function of the nature and cost of the infrastructure it invests in and the amount of mobility that infrastructure provides for passengers and freight. The report shows that local pollution reduction and CO2 reduction are correlated. Three-fourths of ADB's transport sector investments in the past decade have been in building expressways and the report finds these substantially increase CO2 emissions.

IPCC announces authors for 5th Assessment report

2010-06-28T00:00:00Z

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has released the final list of climate change experts who will prepare the Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) to be published between 2013 and 2014. The list includes Coordinating Lead Authors, Lead Authors and Review Editors.

Land Transport and Climate Change News - Issue 3/2010, June 2010

2010-06-25T00:00:00Z

EC holds a workshop on a "Global Transport System in a Low Carbon Society"

2010-06-25T00:00:00Z

The Institution for Transport Policy Studies (ITPS) is currently finalising a backcasting study on how to achieve a Global Transport System in a Low Carbon Society by the year 2050. This is the first of such studies conducted on a global scale, involving key experts from various world regions who have authored regional studies to inform the wider global study. The European Commission hosted a half day'open' workshop, where representatives from the study team discussed the study and its current findings. Holger Dalkmann of TRL presented the results of the European Regional Study, and highlighted the ways in which a drastic reduction of transport greenhouse gases can be achieved, combining both behavioural and technological changes. Ways in which the EU can also support mitigation actions in other parts of the world were also highlighted.

Our Cities Ourselves

2010-06-23T00:00:00Z

Ten of the world's leading architects show how integrating urban planning with transport can enable cities to thrive, while also combating climate change and managing population growth, in a global exhibition that kicks off in New York on June 24, 2010. Our Cities Ourselves: The Future of Transportation in Urban Life showcases the transformative potential of designing streets and cities around the needs of people rather than around the needs of private cars. Our Cities Ourselves illustrates how the dream of a sustainable, equitable and livable urban future can be realized when transport is a core foundation.

Delivering on the G-20 commitment to reform fossil-fuel subsidies: essential outcomes from Toronto

2010-06-23T00:00:00Z

Subsidizing fossil fuels seriously undermines ongoing efforts to deal with climate change - subsidies distort energy prices, encourage wasteful consumption, increase global greenhouse gas emissions and impede investment in renewable energy sources. Such subsidies particularly affect transportation investments and choices. But in September 2009, Pittsburgh, G-20 leaders committed to phasing out and rationalizing their inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies that lead to wasteful consumption. On 26-27 June, 2010, leaders are set to meet again for the first time since making that commitment. The Global Subsidies Initiative of the International Institute for Sustainable Development has issued a policy brief summarizing what G-20 countries have done so far, and what else needs to be done to deliver on that commitment, including 3 recommended actions G-20 leaders should take in Toronto

Reducing Emissions through Sustainable Transport (REST)

2010-06-23T00:00:00Z

The potential for GHG mitigation in the land transport sector would be increased on an international level if there was a sectoral mechanism for transport. The Bridging the Gap initiative has developed a proposal for such a mechanism that could provide both financial and capacity building support. The proposal, which has been designed to complement existing mechanisms, comprises of both funding and crediting elements to stimulate mitigation activities in the land transport sector. The draft is currently a'living document,' which will evolve to take into account feedback received from international experts. If you would like to comment on this draft then please contact Holger Dalkmann at hdalkmann@trl.co.uk.

Energy Efficient Transport - Johannesburg gets ready for the Soccer World Cup

2010-06-22T00:00:00Z

For the Soccer World Cup, the organizers are expecting thousands of fans from all over the world in Johannesburg. The thousands of visitors do not need to worry about getting to the two stadiums, Soccer City and Ellis Park, in the quickest, safest and most comfortable way as the new "Rea Vaya" Bus Rapid Transit system is now in operation.

Two weeks of negotiations but positions on key issues remain divided

2010-06-17T00:00:00Z

The Bridging the Gap initiative was present for the two weeks of climate talks that took place in Bonn from 31 May to 11 June.This was the second of four rounds of talks that have been scheduled to take place between COP15 and COP16.The Bridging the Gap partners attended this event where they had an exhibit and held a side event and workshop.

Bridging the Gap Workshop

2010-06-11T00:00:00Z

A Bridging the Gap workshop entitled'climate change and development in the transport sector: what do you need to achieve GHG mitigation from land transport' was held on Tuesday 8^th June.The workshop was hosted by GTZ in parallel to the UNFCCC climate change negotiations in Bonn and was attended by almost 80 policy makers, academics and consultants working both within and external to the transport sector.

SLoCaT launched the Bonn Liaison Office

2010-06-09T00:00:00Z

On June 8^th, the Partnership for Sustainable Low Carbon Transport launched the "SLoCaT Bonn Liaison Office" in Bonn during a reception. The Liaison Office will support networking of the partnership in Europe and the UN City of Bonn. It's a first step towards increasing activities of the partnership that are mainly carried out by the "Conveners' Office" in New York.

Side event on "Land transport and climate policy: moving towards closer integration"

2010-06-06T00:00:00Z

On 4th June, 2010, the Bridging the Gap Initiative held a side event on the integration of land transport and climate policy. Dr. Fernando Tudela, the principal negotiator on climate change in Mexico, gave an input speech. In his opening words, he outlined Mexico's roadmap on climate change. Transport figures quite strongly in the national strategy to reduce GHG emissions to 10% below 2000 levels by 2020. Transport is responsible for 20% of Mexican GHG emissions and are expected to double by 2015. One keystone in Mexico's climate change plan is the expansion of the railway system.

The Future of Mobility - Shanghai Expo, 24-26 May, 2010

2010-06-01T00:00:00Z

The City of Bremen and GTZ presented three workshops at the "The Future of Mobility - Options for Sustainable Transport in a Low Carbon Society" at the Bremen Stand in the Urban Best Practice Area at the Shanghai Expo from May 24th to 26th, 2010. The workshops were scheduled from 2 to 5 pm and focused on the following three key topics for sustainable urban transport:

Day 1 - Mon, 24th: Transport and Urban Development
Day 2 - Tue, 25th: Low Carbon Mobility for Cities
Day 3 - Wed, 26th: The Role of Electric Vehicles

More than 80 participants attended the event. Participating experts and practitioners discussed a vision for sustainable urban mobility with a global perspective. After the events participants joined in for further discussions and exchanged their experience and knowledge on the subject.

Download a PDF of the Agenda in English or Chinese.

Bridging the Gap Side event at the June UNFCCC meetings in Bonn

2010-05-31T00:00:00Z

The 2010 Bridging the Gap official side event at the June UNFCCC meetings of the Convention Bodies in Bonn on "Land transport and climate policy: moving towards closer integration" on Friday, 4th June 2010, 19:45 - 21:15 invites you to join transport and climate change specialists including academics, consultants and negotiators, to hear about and to discuss ways in which the two fields can become better integrated to deliver low carbon transport systems.

The Bridging the Gap partners worked together throughout 2009 to pursue this goal, and in 2010 are continuing to develop and explore new opportunities to realise their vision for a regime that incentivises national and local governments to achieve the GHG mitigation potential of the land transport sector. The partners encourage you to attend this side event to hear about and discuss ways of tackling climate change in the land transport sector with leading transport and policy experts.

Side event Location:
Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (FIDMED): ROOM AIR

Carbon Expo 2010: Bridging the Gap speaks at a session on cities

2010-05-31T00:00:00Z

Carbon Expo, the world's largest carbon trade fair, took place in Cologne (Germany) from 26^thto 28^thMay 2010. Caroline Edant from Veolia Transport gave a presentation on behalf of the Bridging the Gap initiative during the session "A city-wide approach to carbon finance" along with representatives of the World Bank, Suez Environnement, ICLEI and the city of Amman. C. Edant highlighted that Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMA's) could be an opportunity to foster local mitigation actions in the transport sector in developing countries.

ADB Transport Forum concludes

2010-05-27T00:00:00Z

The ADB Transport Forum came to its third and final day today. Roughly 30 sessions were organised, and in total 110 presentations were made by various speakers. These collectively provided a range of solutions to make transport more sustainable and climate-friendly, including for example a carbon-footprinting tool for ADB projects, and a Sustainable Transport Partnership Facility to support sustainable transport initiatives financially.

ADB Transport Forum

The Bridging the Gap initiative was represented on the third day by Holger Dalkmann (TRL), who spoke on "Economic policy instruments to promote sustainable, low carbon transport". Furthermore, Manfred Breithaupt (GTZ) chaired and presented at a session on capacity building. Michael Replogle (ITDP) provided concluding remarks in the final plenary.

Their presentations can be downloaded from the link below:

ADB Transport Forum Day 2: Bridging the Gap partners speak at two sessions

2010-05-26T00:00:00Z

The 2010 ADB Transport Forum continued into its second day, covering topics such as road safety, social sustainability, green growth, low carbon transport, road asset management, financial management and urban transport. Bridging the Gap partners were invited as speakers at two sessions.

Heather Allen (UITP) spoke on "international experience in enhancing financial sustainability of public transport in developing countries" at an activity session on financial management, facilitated by Ko Sakamoto (TRL).
Michael Replogle (ITDP) gave a presentation titled "reorienting transport priorities to support access for all" during a session on social sustainability.

Both of their presentations can be downloaded from the below links;

ADB Transport Forum kicks off in Manila

2010-05-25T00:00:00Z

The 2010 ADB Transport Forum "Changing Course - Pathways to Sustainable Transport" kicked off in Manila, Philippines today. The focus of this year's Forum is the Bank's Sustainable Transport Initiative (STI) which is aimed at realigning the support provided by the Bank in four areas, namely urban transport, addressing climate change, cross-border transport and logistics and road safety/social sustainability. Michael Replogle of ITDP joined the panel of respondents during the plenary session in the morning. Other Bridging the Gap partners are actively participating in various sessions throughout the 3-day session. Please check back for further news.

Bridging the Gap participates in the Annual Meeting of the SLOCAT Partnership

2010-05-25T00:00:00Z

The Annual Meeting of the SLOCAT Partnership (www.slocat.net) was held in Manila, Philippines to reflect on the work in 2009/10, and to set out a programme of work for 2010/11. The ongoing contributions of the Bridging the Gap Initiative to the SLOCAT Partnership were highlighted in a joint presentation by Daniel Bongardt (GTZ) and Holger Dalkmann (TRL).

"Bridging the Gap" at CSD 18, May 3rd-14th in New York

2010-05-22T00:00:00Z

In 2010, transport was one of the five focus topics at the 18th session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD 18). The CSD meets annually in two-year "Implementation Cycles," with each cycle focusing on one thematic cluster. Each cycle is comprised of a "Review Year" and a "Policy Year". CSD 18 thus conducted a review of barriers and constraints in implementation, as well as lessons learned and best practices. Delegates expressed general satisfaction with their discussions on transport, as this topic does not fall under other any other international bodies for policy coordination. CSD 19 will convene in May 2011 as the "Policy Year" for this thematic cluster, when delegates will negotiate policy recommendations based on CSD 18's review of the issues.

CSD 18 also included a Partnerships Fair, Learning Center and many Side Events. UITP and the "Bridging the Gap Initiative" convened a Side Event on linking climate policy and sustainable transport. Furthermore, Daniel Bongardt presented on GTZ's Approaches to Sustainable Transport at a Side Event of the German Government on Wednesday May 12th.

Drop in global travel volume leads to cut in transport emissions

2010-05-21T00:00:00Z

A drop in travel volumes in the wake of the global economic crisis has decreased Greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector in many countries. The long-term trend, however, continues to be towards an increase in CO2 emissions from travel activity, according to a new report released by the International Transport Forum at the OECD for its annual global mobility summit on "Transport and Innovation" to be held in Leipzig, Germany, from May 26-28.

ITF realeses a new report on CO2 in the transport sector, which says that global CO2 emissions from transport grew by 45% from 1990 to 2007. It concludes that from 2007 to 2030, transport emissions will continue to grow by approximately 40%. This is only slightly lower than pre-crisis estimates and already takes account of many planned efficiency improvements.

New momentum for international climate negotiations

2010-05-11T00:00:00Z

Germany and Mexico jointly hosted the Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Germany, from 2-4 May 2010, with a view to developing, in an informal framework, a political position in time for the next round of formal negotiations under the UNFCCC.

The Dialogue brought together environment ministers from 43 countries discussed concrete steps to reach an ambitious outcome at the next session of the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties, in Cancún, Mexico, and the role of the Copenhagen Accord in achieving this. Working groups addressed different issues, including: mitigation, reporting, adaptation, carbon market, financing, technology and reducing emissions from deforestation.

During the meeting, Germany, South Africa and the Republic of Korea launched an initiative to support developing countries in elaborating climate-friendly growth strategies, subject to transparent, measurable and comprehensible implementation.

UPDATE: Copenhagen Accord NAMA Submissions: Implications for the Transport Sector

2010-05-11T00:00:00Z

A week after the official deadline for submissions, the Bridging the Gap Initiative has analyzed the Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) submissions for the Copenhagen Accord made by developing countries as of February 4th, 2010 (see attachment). 16 out of 25 countries made explicit reference to the transport sector.

This shows that transport gains increasingly importance on the agenda of climate change mitigation efforts. The analysis provides a comprehensive overview of NAMAs submitted and classifies them according to transport measures proposed. The results find that submissions vary to a great extent in detail and specification, but the inclusion of transport is already a very positive sign. This can be seen as the will to act and Bridging the Gap will help developing countries in the expansion of further transport NAMAs.

The analysis will be updated as more NAMAs will be submitted. Stay tuned!

Negotiation Update May 2010

2010-05-10T00:00:00Z

The May 2010 „Negotiation Update" on climate change negotiations and land transport is now available for download. Check out what happened in the last weeks.

Bridging the Gap submission on UNFCCC website

2010-05-10T00:00:00Z

Draft decision -CMP.5 regarding further guidance relating to the clean development mechanism (CDM) requested the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) to recommend modalities and procedures for the development of standardised baselines. The Bridging the Gap initiative responded to the subsequent invitation to Parties, intergovernmental organisations and admitted observer organisations to make submissions to the secretariat on their views on what recommendations to be made. Bridging the Gap's submission provides recommendations for methods of standardisation to help improve the efficiency, applicability and environmental integrity of the CDM in the transport sector. It can be accessed from: http://unfccc.int/parties_observers/ngo/submissions/items/3689.php. The submission will be compiled into a miscellaneous document for consideration by the SBSTA in Bonn.

Bridging the Gap Side Event for UN-CSD 18

2010-05-03T00:00:00Z

Bridging the Gap hosts a Side Event for UN-CSD 18 on May 4, 2010 from 6:15-7:45pm at Conference Room 6 on "A paradigm shift to low carbon transport and how to finance it".

Please feel free to join our event.

Side Event on Getting Transport on Track at CSD 18

2010-05-03T00:00:00Z

The German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety in co-operation with ProgTrans and the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), which is a partner of the Bridging the Gap initiative, invite to a Side Event at the 18th Annual meeting of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-18) on Wednesday 12 May 2010 from 1:15 - 2:45 p.m. on "Getting Transport on Track: Global Challenges and Initiatives on Technology Innovation Solutions and Capacity Development"
The event will present the main trends and divers of the global transport development and their impacts and challenges to resolve the problems.

Transport at CSD 18 - The conference in New York starts on Monday May 3rd

2010-04-28T00:00:00Z

Sustainable transport is a key issue for sustainable development! The 18th session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD 18) takes place in New York City from May 3^th - 14^th, 2010. Transport will be a focus of the CSD 2010/11 cycle. It is a major driving force behind growing world demand for energy and it is one of the largest contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions.

A partner of the Bridging the Gap initiative, UITP organizes a side event on May 4^th(18:15 - 19:45, Conference Room 6). Topic will be "A Paradigm shift towards low carbon transport - and financing it".

For those who will be in New York, the GTZ Transport Policy Advisory Service and the Partnership for Sustainable Low Carbon Transport (SLoCaT) has prepared an overview of all transport-related events during CSD18 in New York. Download the list of events here.

Land Transport and Climate Change News - Issue 2/2010, April 2010

2010-04-21T00:00:00Z

Climate talks in Bonn conclude by holding two extra meetings during 2010

2010-04-12T00:00:00Z

The first round of climate talks after the Copenhagen summit concluded in Bonn on Monday morning, 12^th April. The Bridging the Gap Initiative was present with an exhibit at the meeting and had several discussions with climate negotiators at the initiative's stand.

The main outcomes of the meetings are:

The rough outline for further proceedings in 2010, whereby two more meetings will be scheduled between the June meetings in Bonn and the climate summit in Cancùn, Mexico, in late 2010, each at least one week in duration.
Both of the AWGs invited their chairs to prepare text to facilitate negotiations among Parties, in time for the June sessions in Bonn.

AWG-KP/AWG-LCA started today in Bonn

2010-04-09T00:00:00Z

The ninth UNFCCC Ad-Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention (AWG-LCA) and the 11th Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG-KP) started today in Bonn. This is the first official meeting after the Copenhagen Climate Summit, COP15, in December 2009. Hopes are that parties will agree on the next steps towards a successful outcome at COP16 in Mexico later this year. Bridging the Gap is represented with an exhibit to provide participants with information on tackling climate change through transport. We will report back to you on the main outcomes of the meeting in Bonn.

Check back later!

UNFCCC released provisional Agenda for Bonn

2010-04-01T00:00:00Z

The UNFCCC has released the provisional agenda for the 11th session of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG-KP 11), and the ninth session of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention (AWG-LCA 9). It is the first round of formal UNFCCC negotiations for 2010 and will be held from 9-11 April 2010, in Bonn, Germany. During the session the AWG-LCA will be invited to agree on the organization of its work, including the calendar of meetings in 2010, and methods of work that will allow the AWG-LCA to resolve outstanding issues in the negotiations while ensuring inclusiveness.

Outline schedule of the 18th CSD published

2010-04-01T00:00:00Z

The "organisation of work" of the two-week long 18^thsession of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), to be held in New York in May, has now been published. Transport, which is one of the key themes for this session, will be discussed in a "thematic discussion" on 4 May (Tue) and 5 May (Wed). A roundtable titled "Meeting the challenge of transportation needs in 21^stcentury" will also be held as part of the high-level segment on 13 May.

Submission to the UNFCCC on the development of standardised baselines

2010-03-26T00:00:00Z

The Transport Research Foundation has made a the submission on behalf of the Bridging the Gap Initiative with endorsement from the Partnership on Sustainable Low Carbon Transport (SLoCaT) on "the modalities and procedures for the development of standardised baselines that are broadly applicable, while providing for a high level of environmental integrity and taking into account specific national circumstances". The submission provides recommendations for methods of standardisation which can help improve the efficiency, applicability and environmental integrity of CDM in the transport sector.

Flyer 2010

2010-03-25T00:00:00Z

New information flyer of the Bridging the Gap Initiative is now available in English and Chinese.

New member of the initiative

2010-03-23T00:00:00Z

The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP), a non-profit organization that promotes equitable and sustainable development, is now a full and active member of Bridging the Gap initiative. ITDP, with offices in the U.S., Latin America, Asia, and Africa, has been actively working with Bridging the Gap since fall 2009, engaging in cooperative action in various climate meetings in Bangkok, Barcelona, and Brussels, and at the COP15 in Copenhagen. GTZ, TRL, UITP and Veolia are happy to welcome their new partner.

For more information have a look on the ITDP website

United Nations Forum on Climate Change Mitigation, Fuel Efficiency and Sustainable Urban Transport

2010-03-18T00:00:00Z

The UN Forum on Climate Change Mitigation, Fuel Efficiency and Sustainable Development of Urban Transport met from 16-17 March 2010, in Seoul, Republic of Korea, in preparation for the 18th session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD). CSD 18 (New York, US, from 3-14 May 2010) will review of environmental progress made in the implementation of decisions on transport and sustainable development followed by formulating the way forward during 2011. The Forum options to enhance public transport and curb greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, public private partnerships, financing public transport in developing countries, among others. Daniel Bongardt (GTZ) and Heather Allen (UITP) participated on behalf of the Bridging the Gap Initiative and consequently linked international negotiations on transport and climate change under the CSD and the UNFCCC.
(The picture shows Tariq Banuri, Director, Division for Sustainable Development/CSD Secretariat.opening the Conference)