7 things you need to know about sustainable transportation

Sustainable transport is about cleaner mobility and safer systems; extending markets; shaping access to jobs, schools and health care; and enabling the movement of food and medicines. With transport demand set to more than double by 2050, choices we make this decade, can unlock sustainable development pathways. Here are 7 things you need to know.

1. Transport can be a climate solution. Transport generates a quarter of all energy-related emissions and relies on fossil fuels for 95 per cent of its energy. Shifting to public transport, walking, cycling and low- and zero-emission vehicles can cut emissions and improve health. 

2. A billion people remain without access. One-third of the global rural population live more than 2 km from an all-season road - nearly half of them in Africa. Without reliable transport, farmers, patients and students cannot reach markets, clinics or schools. 

3. Safe system design saves lives. Road crashes are the leading cause of death for ages 5 to 29, and kill 1.2 million people every year, 92 per cent in low- and middle-income countries. Safe system design, including speed management and protected walking and cycling, could save millions of lives.

4. Smart investment is key. Achieving sustainable transport requires smart investments. Redirecting existing spending, reforming fossil-fuel subsidies and using tools like green bonds and fair user charges can finance more sustainable, safer and more inclusive mobility.

5. Cities will decide our future. By 2050, 70 per cent of people and 85 per cent of economic output will be urban. Urban planning aligned with sustainable transport could cut congestion, CO₂ emissions and pollution while improving health, prosperity, equity and quality of life.

6. The UN Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026–2035) will accelerate improvements. Its Implementation Plan provides a roadmap to align policies, finance, technology and data enabling transport to advance all 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The Decade’s launch on 10 December 2025 will invite governments, cities, business, civil society and youth to commit to progress together.

7. Actions you can take. Engage with the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport in your country or city; choose public transport, walking and cycling; and encourage your institution to align its actions with the Implementation Plan. 

For more information: UN Decade of Sustainable Transport