Major Group: NGOs
Thank you Mr. Chair for the floor.
As a global citizen, I take the bus and subway a lot in Paris, New York, Japan and I walk a
lot in Singapore and Melbourne but I drive a lot when I?m in the Middle East.
So here, we see different countries in various stages of their transport infrastructure.
Thus, we would like to acknowledge the different stands taken by all parties (there will
not be any one-size-fits-all solution/blueprint).
We especially echo the comments made by the distinguished representatives of
Hungary / Germany / China and Panelist Allison Davies.
1) Equal access
Addressing the Roundtable Theme, we would like to say that ?enhancing? access implies
improving ?existing? insfrastructure. We recognize that sustainable transport is a vital
component to create sustainable economies, but progress has been very slow. We need
to give priority to investment in infrastructure, which is the backbone of urban transport
systems, this being the only alternative to the undeniable sharply-rising level of
motorization in the developing world.
Therefore we applaud the UIC Declaration on Sustainable Mobility & Transport
(http://www.railway-sustainability.org/spip.php?article76) for the global railway sector.
2) Accessibility definition
Echoing the MGCY & Panelist Allison Davies, transportation systems should only be
considered accessible if they are safe, affordable, appropriate and strategically linked to
regional economies.
3) Customization
Echoing Hungary, we need to customize solutions for different economic and cultural
factors.
But first, we need to recognize the VALUE of sustainable infrastructure, so emphasis on
investment in sustainable masterplanning would naturally follow.
We must thus use deliberative co-learning processes with citizens and experts to:
· a) Analyze transport patterns differentiating between men?s and women?s economic
roles and adjust planning to remove gender disadvantages.
· b) Ensure sound planning of transportation infrastructure to reduce impacts on
biodiversity.
· c) Collect sound data on all relevant levels and realize capacity building programs.
and with that learning....
· Implement fiscal frameworks that remove barriers and allow the internalization of
external costs.
We note that improved fuels and cleaner transport bring local improvements to air
quality but do not reduce the dependence of the developing world on fossil fuels for
their transport needs.
4) Technology
This brings us to consider Technology solutions: they should predominantly be sought
in the social and planning realm, as strictly technical fixes may produce detrimental side
effects.
Mis-use of Biofuels may lead to tremendous problems like landgrabbing, food insecurity
and loss of livelihoods and biodiversity.
Echoing China, there needs to be more capacity-building between governments with
R&D, education, and sharing of best practices and technology transfer between and
within countries.
5) Civil Society Participation
Rio will be the place to raise global concerns on the increasing challenges on producing
better transportation. We MUST be heard and a ROADMAP to implementation MUST
be made available at Rio.
There needs to be broad consultation with community input, including citizen advisory
panels and participatory budgeting with debate on incentives and disincentives.
We urge all governments to agree on the broad concept/vision. Lowering global carbon
emissions via the implementation of country-appropriate transport infrastructure is
necessary to give Small Island Developing States a chance of survival. Accordingly,
achieving this requires the application/use/implementation of appropriate economic
instruments.
6) Economic
How can this be done?
Huge potential exists to fund sustainable transport. A ?cap and share? system can be
implemented for emissions, extraction and use of depletable resources permissible
annually. Permits would be auctioned, payable at source, so that costs are passed on to
all subsequent users.
This could be managed by a Climate Trust, linked to National Trusts in each country,
with designated funds within the trust network to finance development projects, such
as ecologically sound transport.
Global Level Trusts could be housed in the Trusteeship Council and administered by the
UN. Drawing on the concept of ?common but differentiated responsibilities ?, thus
natural resources -- in this context, fossil fuel use, and reducing the global carbon cap --
would be in trust of the international community while Governments retain jurisdiction
locally.
A Global Trust in charge of a descending cap would help remove volatility from markets,
and ease the global community towards a carbon-safe limit and thus sustainable
development.
Thank you very much.
As a global citizen, I take the bus and subway a lot in Paris, New York, Japan and I walk a
lot in Singapore and Melbourne but I drive a lot when I?m in the Middle East.
So here, we see different countries in various stages of their transport infrastructure.
Thus, we would like to acknowledge the different stands taken by all parties (there will
not be any one-size-fits-all solution/blueprint).
We especially echo the comments made by the distinguished representatives of
Hungary / Germany / China and Panelist Allison Davies.
1) Equal access
Addressing the Roundtable Theme, we would like to say that ?enhancing? access implies
improving ?existing? insfrastructure. We recognize that sustainable transport is a vital
component to create sustainable economies, but progress has been very slow. We need
to give priority to investment in infrastructure, which is the backbone of urban transport
systems, this being the only alternative to the undeniable sharply-rising level of
motorization in the developing world.
Therefore we applaud the UIC Declaration on Sustainable Mobility & Transport
(http://www.railway-sustainability.org/spip.php?article76) for the global railway sector.
2) Accessibility definition
Echoing the MGCY & Panelist Allison Davies, transportation systems should only be
considered accessible if they are safe, affordable, appropriate and strategically linked to
regional economies.
3) Customization
Echoing Hungary, we need to customize solutions for different economic and cultural
factors.
But first, we need to recognize the VALUE of sustainable infrastructure, so emphasis on
investment in sustainable masterplanning would naturally follow.
We must thus use deliberative co-learning processes with citizens and experts to:
· a) Analyze transport patterns differentiating between men?s and women?s economic
roles and adjust planning to remove gender disadvantages.
· b) Ensure sound planning of transportation infrastructure to reduce impacts on
biodiversity.
· c) Collect sound data on all relevant levels and realize capacity building programs.
and with that learning....
· Implement fiscal frameworks that remove barriers and allow the internalization of
external costs.
We note that improved fuels and cleaner transport bring local improvements to air
quality but do not reduce the dependence of the developing world on fossil fuels for
their transport needs.
4) Technology
This brings us to consider Technology solutions: they should predominantly be sought
in the social and planning realm, as strictly technical fixes may produce detrimental side
effects.
Mis-use of Biofuels may lead to tremendous problems like landgrabbing, food insecurity
and loss of livelihoods and biodiversity.
Echoing China, there needs to be more capacity-building between governments with
R&D, education, and sharing of best practices and technology transfer between and
within countries.
5) Civil Society Participation
Rio will be the place to raise global concerns on the increasing challenges on producing
better transportation. We MUST be heard and a ROADMAP to implementation MUST
be made available at Rio.
There needs to be broad consultation with community input, including citizen advisory
panels and participatory budgeting with debate on incentives and disincentives.
We urge all governments to agree on the broad concept/vision. Lowering global carbon
emissions via the implementation of country-appropriate transport infrastructure is
necessary to give Small Island Developing States a chance of survival. Accordingly,
achieving this requires the application/use/implementation of appropriate economic
instruments.
6) Economic
How can this be done?
Huge potential exists to fund sustainable transport. A ?cap and share? system can be
implemented for emissions, extraction and use of depletable resources permissible
annually. Permits would be auctioned, payable at source, so that costs are passed on to
all subsequent users.
This could be managed by a Climate Trust, linked to National Trusts in each country,
with designated funds within the trust network to finance development projects, such
as ecologically sound transport.
Global Level Trusts could be housed in the Trusteeship Council and administered by the
UN. Drawing on the concept of ?common but differentiated responsibilities ?, thus
natural resources -- in this context, fossil fuel use, and reducing the global carbon cap --
would be in trust of the international community while Governments retain jurisdiction
locally.
A Global Trust in charge of a descending cap would help remove volatility from markets,
and ease the global community towards a carbon-safe limit and thus sustainable
development.
Thank you very much.