How sustainable transport is changing modern cities – Latest news from Azerbaijan

Report on Sustainable Transport and its Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Aligning Urban Mobility with Global Sustainability

Sustainable transport has become a critical solution for urban centers worldwide grappling with pollution, congestion, and population growth. This transformation in mobility is directly aligned with the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reshaping urban environments to be more inclusive, resilient, and environmentally responsible. The shift encompasses technological innovation, urban redesign, and socio-economic restructuring, positioning sustainable transport as a cornerstone of modern city life and a key enabler of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Environmental and Public Health Gains through Sustainable Transport

Contribution to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action)

The transition to sustainable transport systems offers significant benefits for environmental protection and public health, directly addressing key targets within the SDGs.

• Climate Action (SDG 13): Transportation is responsible for nearly 25% of global carbon emissions. A shift towards electric mobility, including buses, trams, and cars, is crucial for drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change.
• Sustainable Cities (SDG 11): Cities are leading the transition to cleaner transport to improve urban air quality.
  1. Oslo, Norway
  2. Shenzhen, China
  3. Amsterdam, Netherlands

  These cities have made substantial progress by converting public transport fleets to zero-emission vehicles, creating more sustainable urban environments.

• Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3): Reducing dependency on fossil fuels leads to improved public health outcomes. According to the World Health Organization, air pollution contributes to seven million premature deaths annually. Cleaner air from sustainable transport reduces rates of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Urban Redesign for People-Centric and Inclusive Communities

Contribution to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)

Modern urban planning is increasingly prioritizing people over private vehicles, a core principle of SDG 11, which aims to provide universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible green and public spaces.

• Reallocation of Urban Space: Cities are redesigning infrastructure to favor pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit. This shift promotes active lifestyles, contributing to physical and mental well-being (SDG 3).
• International Case Studies:
  1. Barcelona’s “superblocks” initiative: Restricts vehicle access to create greener, safer zones for community interaction.
  2. Paris’s car-free zones: Central districts are being transformed to enhance walkability and reduce pollution.
  3. Copenhagen’s cycling network: Extensive infrastructure makes cycling a faster and more popular mode of transport than driving for most daily trips.
• Economic Stimulation: People-centric design encourages foot traffic, benefiting local economies as citizens spend more time in their neighborhoods, supporting shops, cafes, and cultural venues.

Technological Innovation and Smart Mobility Infrastructure

Contribution to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

Digital innovation is a driving force in the sustainable transport revolution, building resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation as mandated by SDG 9.

• Integrated Mobility Platforms: Mobile applications that combine public transit, bike-sharing, and ride-hailing services enable seamless multimodal journeys.
• Smart City Technologies:
  • Artificial intelligence is used to optimize traffic flow and reduce congestion.
  • Big data analytics help city planners predict transport demand.
  • Real-time traffic monitoring and adaptive signal systems, as seen in Singapore, have reduced travel times by up to 15%.
• Emerging Transport Options: Electric scooters, car-sharing platforms, and autonomous vehicle trials are expanding flexible travel choices, reducing the necessity for private car ownership and improving energy efficiency.

Socio-Economic Development and Reduced Inequalities

Contribution to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

Sustainable transport is a catalyst for social and economic transformation, promoting inclusive growth and reducing disparities.

• Promoting Equity (SDG 10): Efficient, affordable, and reliable public transport systems improve accessibility for all citizens, connecting people in low-income or remote areas to employment, education, and healthcare services.
• Job Creation (SDG 8): The International Energy Agency projects that global investments in sustainable transport could generate over 10 million new jobs by 2030 in sectors such as electric vehicle manufacturing, renewable energy, and green infrastructure.
• Economic Benefits: Cities can achieve significant annual savings through reduced fuel import costs and lower public healthcare expenditures related to pollution.

Conclusion: The Future of Sustainable Urban Living

The future of resilient and sustainable cities is intrinsically linked to the evolution of transport. Achieving the vision of cleaner, quieter, and healthier urban environments requires collective action from governments, businesses, and citizens. Sustainable transport is not merely a strategy for greener mobility but a comprehensive framework for reimagining urban life in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring a viable and prosperous future for cities worldwide.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • The article connects sustainable transport to public health by highlighting how reducing fossil fuel dependency and improving air quality leads to lower rates of respiratory illness and cardiovascular disease. It explicitly mentions that “air pollution causes seven million premature deaths each year,” a figure that could be reduced with sustainable transport.

2. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • The article touches upon this goal by mentioning the integration of renewable energy into transport infrastructure, specifically citing “solar-powered charging stations” as a way to amplify sustainability gains.

3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • The economic benefits of sustainable transport are discussed, with the article stating that investment in this sector “generates jobs in sectors like electric vehicle manufacturing, renewable energy, and infrastructure construction.” It provides an estimate from the International Energy Agency that such investments “could create over 10 million new jobs by 2030.”

4. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

   • This goal is central to the article’s theme of technological advancement. It describes how “digital innovation is at the heart of the sustainable transport revolution,” mentioning smart mobility platforms, AI for traffic optimization, big data for city planning, and the development of resilient infrastructure like public transport and smart traffic systems.

5. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The text focuses on making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable through improved transport systems. It discusses providing accessible public transport, reducing the environmental impact of cities (air pollution), and creating safe and green public spaces by redesigning urban areas for people instead of cars (e.g., Barcelona’s “superblocks”).

6. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • The article directly addresses climate action by stating that “Transportation accounts for nearly a quarter of global carbon emissions.” It presents the shift to electric mobility and sustainable transport as a key strategy for cities to “drastically cut emissions” and combat climate change.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. Target 3.9: Substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.

   • The article directly relates to this target by stating that cleaner air from sustainable transport leads to “lower rates of respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease, and other pollution-related conditions” and could sharply decline the “seven million premature deaths each year” caused by air pollution.

2. Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

   • The mention of “solar-powered charging stations” implies an effort to increase the share of renewable energy within the transport sector’s energy consumption, aligning with this target.

3. Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men…

   • The article supports this target by citing an estimate that “global investments in sustainable transport could create over 10 million new jobs by 2030.”

4. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.

   • The article’s discussion of investing in public transport, building extensive cycling networks (Copenhagen), and implementing smart traffic systems (Singapore) directly reflects the development of sustainable and resilient infrastructure.

5. Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all…

   • This target is a core theme. The article emphasizes that “inclusive transit systems improve accessibility for all citizens, particularly those in low-income or remote areas” by connecting them to jobs, education, and healthcare.

6. Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality…

   • The article’s focus on how electric mobility is “helping urban areas drastically cut emissions and improve air quality” is a direct response to this target.

7. Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces…

   • The examples of Barcelona’s “superblocks” and Paris turning central districts into “car-free areas” illustrate the creation of green and public spaces by reallocating space from cars to people, which aligns with this target.

8. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.

   • The article’s entire premise—that cities are adopting sustainable transport to cut carbon emissions—is an example of integrating climate change measures into urban planning and policy.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. Indicator 3.9.1: Mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution.

   • The article implies this indicator by citing the World Health Organization’s figure that “air pollution causes seven million premature deaths each year.” Reducing this number would be a key measure of progress.

2. Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption.

   • The mention of “solar-powered charging stations” suggests that a relevant indicator would be the proportion of energy used for transport that comes from renewable sources.

3. Indicator 11.2.1: Proportion of population that has convenient access to public transport.

   • The article implies this indicator by discussing how sustainable transport improves “accessibility for all citizens, particularly those in low-income or remote areas.” Measuring the percentage of the population with access to these systems would track progress.

4. Indicator 11.6.2: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g. PM2.5 and PM10) in cities.

   • The goal of improving “air quality” directly points to this indicator, as measuring particulate matter is the standard way to assess urban air pollution.

5. Indicator 13.2.2: Total greenhouse gas emissions per year.

   • The article states that “Transportation accounts for nearly a quarter of global carbon emissions.” A direct indicator of progress would be the reduction of these emissions from the transport sector in cities.

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: news.az