Progress Report (2012-2013) of the MDB Working Group on Sustainable Transport

Abstract

Transport – the movement of people and goods from one place to another – is a basic requirement for the functioning of human society, and is intrinsic to the production and use of goods and services. The transport sector directly contributes 5%–10% of gross domestic product (GDP) in most countries, and indirectly enables the other sectors to contribute to social and economic development. By helping to expand economic opportunities and services, and providing people with access and mobility, transport contributes to poverty reduction and inclusive growth. Yet transport also consumes resources and often has negative side effects, including congestion, air pollution, and road crashes. Transport is already responsible for nearly a quarter of energy-related CO2. On balance, the contribution of transport to sustainable development depends on how accessible and affordable it is for people to use, what resources it consumes, and what negative side effects it has. It is therefore necessary to select the types and mix of transport that will fully realize its positive contribution and minimize negative effects. Based on these considerations, our institutions have been adjusting our support for the sector to focus on sustainable transport – transport that is accessible, affordable, efficient, financially sustainable, environment friendly, and safe. These are reflected in the policies, strategies and initiatives of our institutions, as summarized in the table overleaf.