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