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    Introduction

    What is sustainable development?

    Sustainable development is defined as balancing the fulfillment of human needs with the protection of the natural environment. A common definition of sustainable development is "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." The field of sustainable development can be conceptually broken into three constituent parts: environmental protection, economic sustainability, and social justice.

    The Concept of Sustainable Development


    Source
    : Adapted from Ralph Hall, Introducing the Concept of Sustainable Transport
    to the U.S. DOT through the Reauthorization of TEA-21

    Developments and trends

    Mobility is our fundamental necessity of 21st century living and brings access to primary services and leisure. But today, current patterns of provision and consumption of mobility are unsustainable and cities all over the world suffer from high levels of traffic related congestion, pollution and the degradation of communities and social dysfunction. 

    Addressing the issue of climate change is a key topic for all, and for transport in particular. At present CO2 (one of the seven greenhouse gas emissions) from transport are growing despite improvements in technology and fuels mainly due to the sheer increase of the number of trips made.

    For the first time in human history more than 50% of the world’s population now lives in urban areas (UNHABITAT 2007). As cities grow their ecological impact increases, and despite the unparalleled flexibility and freedom a car might bring, a city cannot function without public transport. Public transport is vital for future development and the sector is making significant efforts to ensure that it is able to help ensure that citizens today can enjoy a high quality of life in a safe, and healthy environment.  

    UITP launched a Charter on Sustainable Development in 2003 to increase awareness within the sector on the importance of this issue and to recognize the commitment of UITP members. Only UITP members may sign the charter to make a voluntary but measurable commitment to monitor, measure and report on their own performance.

    The signatories have developed the following definition of sustainable development and public transport:

      - Taking decisions understanding the impact and determining a good balance in terms of:
        - Social Justice
        - Environmental Protection
        - Economic Sense
       
      - Sustainable development is how you plan for the future while still operating in the now

    UITP’s Commission on Sustainable Development manages the charter process.

    See List of charter signatories
    See UITP Commission on Sustainable Development and Working Groups

    All charter signatories may send a representative to the working group meetings but membership of the UITP Commission on Sustainable Development is by invitation only.

    Coaching and Training workshops are held twice a year in Brussels, Belgium.

    Read more
    A low carbon future with public transport
    See the Tool kit for reducing carbon emissions from transport
    Fuel choices for public transport - Environmental demands and efficiency
    Tackling Social Exclusion - The role of public transport    
    Public Transport International Magazine dedicated its issue 04/2006 to Sustainable Development. UITP members can read the full issue in Mobi+. (www.uitp.org/mos )
    Natural instinct - UITP using Sustainable Development for international outreach
    Driving further on greener fuel. Biofuel blends in KSRTC's buses in India
    The European Climate Change Programme and the Green Paper on Energy Efficiency - The role of public transport to reduce GHG emissions and improve energy efficiency   
    Public Transport International Magazine issue 05/2003 Sustainable Development - Not just a lot of hot air. The full issue is available to members in Mobi+ (www.uitp.org/mos )

    Making tomorrow today
    Mapping the progress in sustainable development in the public transport sector 2005-07

    Published: March 2007
    Report : 55 pages - 6.70 Mb.  

       

    Bringing quality to life
    The contribution of the public transport sector to sustainable development illustrated with best practices from signatories to the UITP Sustainable Development Charter.

    Published: January 2005
    Report : 52 pages - 5 Mb.  
    Executive Summary of report : 6 pages - 500 Kb.

       

    Ticket to the Future 3 stops to Sustainable Mobility
    This 40 page brochure, with international examples, sets out as 3 ‘stops’ the challenges for cities and regions to meet these mobility needs in a sustainable manner, and the fundamental contribution of public transport makes and establishes actions required by all stakeholders to achieve these goals. The world-wide examples have been chosen to demonstrate that every change, even small ones, add up to build more sustainable transport networks, bringing the benefits of mobility to all rather than just a few.

    Published: January 2004
    Brochure : 40 pages 
    Executive Summary 


    Presentations from UITP Sustainable Developments events are all available to UITP members in our e-library, MOBI+


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    UITP members: check the calendar of internal meetings here


    UITP Commission on Sustainable Development

    List of members  Working groups  Information for members

    Introduction

    The Commission on Sustainable Development was founded in 2005. It deals with all issues related to public transport and sustainable development. It is also responsible for managing the UITP Sustainable Development Charter.

    The core task of the Commission is to develop indicators for public transport organisations to be able to report on their environmental, social and economic performance. The other main topics of the working programme are:

    • The UITP Sustainable Development Charter and next conference (Milan 2008)
    • Climate change and Greenhouse gas emissions (GHG)
    • Clean air
    • Energy
    • Social inclusion, diversity and health

    The current Chairperson is Glenn Frommer, from the company MTR Corporation, Hong Kong.

    CONTACT: Heather Allen, heather.allen@uitp.org


    List of members

    See the list of members


    Working groups

    Information for members

    The Terms of Reference of UITP Divisions and Commissions are only available to UITP members. Please enter your login and password here and click on the section ‘Working bodies’ in the menu.