28 October 2014
Sign the declaration: “We have much more than transport in common”
In
October, CODATU launched, with its partners, this declaration to contribute to the preparation of COP21 that will be held in Paris in December 2015. The association invites particularly the local decision makers to sign it, but all the stakeholders of urban transport sector and citizens can get involved in this dynamic to double the strength of this initiative.
Text of the declaration
During the next Conference of the Parties (COP 21), to be held in Paris, December 2015, the States will define a climate regime to follow the Kyoto Protocol. Local authorities are more-than-ever involved in drafting policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, their proximity to the local inhabitants means they have an important role to play in the application of this new regime.
Now is the time for local officials to start preparing for this crucial event. We are responsible for transport and urban mobility policies and, as such, we must drive this dynamic and push for a transformation of the urban transport sector.
Climate change is one of the biggest challenges we face in the 21st century. It is compelling us to rethink development models in OECD countries while providing new growth perspectives for emerging markets and developing countries. Cities produce a large proportion of greenhouse gas, and the transport sector is accountable for over 23 % of CO2 emissions. Daily travel represents half of this percentage. The sector has seen dramatic growth on a global scale, namely due to the increasing number of vehicle owners in developing countries. Between 1990 and 2007, CO2 emissions produced by transportation increased by 45 %.
The imperative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions presents us with a unique opportunity to transform the transport sector and to rethink urban planning models. This is the chance to tap into new sources of economic prosperity and create employment on a local scale. Mobility has been at the heart of innovation for centuries. Today the transport sector has an unprecedented role to play as we strive to stem climate change, build sustainable cities and preserve accessibility.
This transformation should combine technological, social and organisational innovation to address local concerns such as air pollution and road safety while being socially equitable and offering new economic opportunities.
Great efforts must be made by both the public and private stakeholders to ensure these goals are met. We must all play our part to implement an industrial policy that meets the demands of everyday travel. We, local representatives, want to generate the impetus that will enable us to respond to these global challenges. We accept responsibility for our territories and we want to build upon longstanding measures to improve the nation’s standard of living.
We call upon each and every one of you to help us bring about a fundamental change in urban mobility by 2020 by furthering our research of energy efficiency and by improving upon economic efficiency while remaining devoted to social concerns.
This transformation can only take place within a global context. Our actions will have little effect if they are not shouldered by other decision makers, especially those in developing countries. We must all contribute towards building sustainable cities all around the world that will improve the quality of life for billions of people. Through cooperation between local authorities we will share the solutions we implement with developing countries.
We must fully recognize the danger climate change presents, not only to world peace but to the future of the human race. We, local representatives in charge of transport and urban mobility, will rise to the challenge, we will mobilise this sector’s key players and stand in solidarity with every other city of the world, because we have much more than transport in common.
