Sustainable transport plays a crucial role in realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically through SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). By fostering an inclusive and sustainable transportation system, we can facilitate social and economic development, mitigate environmental damage, and improve the overall quality of life.
In the context of SDG 9, sustainable transport infrastructure fosters economic growth and innovation by enabling the movement of goods and services, promoting regional integration, and enhancing access to markets. It also drives industrial sustainability by fostering energy-efficient modes of transport and facilitating the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Under SDG 11, sustainable transport is key to creating sustainable cities and communities. It enhances urban mobility, reduces congestion, and mitigates air pollution, thereby improving the quality of life in urban areas. Public transportation, cycling, and walking, as components of sustainable transport, also promote social inclusion by ensuring everyone, including the poor, the disabled, and the elderly, can access opportunities and services.
For SDG 3, sustainable transport can improve public health. Reducing the reliance on private vehicles decreases air and noise pollution, mitigating respiratory diseases, and reducing stress levels. Furthermore, encouraging active transport modes, such as walking and cycling, can combat sedentary lifestyles and associated health issues, such as obesity and heart diseases.
In relation to SDG 13, sustainable transport plays a vital role in combating climate change. The transportation sector is one of the major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, thus, shifting towards sustainable transport, such as electric vehicles or public transport, can significantly reduce carbon emissions and help mitigate the effects of climate change.
Despite its benefits, achieving sustainable transport requires addressing multiple challenges, such as the high upfront costs of sustainable transport infrastructure, the lack of institutional capacity, and resistance from vested interests. Policies and strategies should be implemented to encourage the use of sustainable transport and ensure its affordability and accessibility to all members of society.
Green Ports: Inland and Seaside Sustainable Transportation Strategies, Volume , 20 September 2018
Green Ports: Inland and Seaside Sustainable Transportation Strategies, Volume , 20 September 2018
Efforts to protect nature are facing a growing crisis, one that often revolves around the burgeoning impacts of roads and other infrastructure on biodiversity and ecosystems. Potential solutions are possible but they will involve serious trade-offs and the confrontation of deep misconceptions. Here, I identify some time-critical tactics to aid scientists in informing and influencing the global infrastructure debate.
Use phase fuel consumption is responsible for the majority of an automobile's life cycle energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Lightweighting is an important strategy to reduce use phase fuel consumption and potentially reduce vehicle life cycle impacts. A popular lightweighting technique is material substitution, in which conventional materials (e.g., iron, steel) are replaced with lighter ones (e.g., aluminum, magnesium). Material substitution, however, often results in higher material production impacts.
The development of new high-efficiency magnets and/or electric traction motors using a limited amount of critical rare earths or none at all is crucial for the large-scale deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) and related applications, such as hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and e-bikes. For these applications, we estimated the short-term demand for high-performing NdFeB magnets and their constituent rare earths: neodymium, praseodymium and dysprosium. In 2020, EV, HEV and e-bike applications combined could require double the amount used in 2015.
Challenges and Opportunities in Urban Public Transportation, Chapter 7, 2017, Pages 95–107
