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Activities
The improvement of urban planning
to promote inter-modality
UNEP's work in this area is facilitates a shift from private
motorization to public and non-motorized transport modes in urban
areas by raising awareness and building institutional capacities
of policy makers, city/ transport planners and other relevant
stakeholders.
At present most projects are funded by the Global Environment
Facility (GEF). The following are projects executed and implemented
by UNEP. In addition, the growing demand for the sustainable transport
policies has lead to some successful partnerships with the private
sector.
- Promoting
Sustainable Transport in Latin America
Promotes sustainable transport options through individual demonstration
projects in Guatemala City, Panama City and Concepción
city. The project focuses on three specific aspects of transport
sustainability: Bus Rapid Transit (BRT),Bus Regulation and Planning
(BRP) and Non-motorized Transport (NMT)
- Network
for Environmentally Sustainable Transport in Latin America and
the Carribean (NESTLAC)
It was established in 2004 with initial funding from the GEF
as there was and is still a strong demand for sustainable transport
planning in the region. The network is managed and coordinated
by UNEP Risoe Centre ( URC)
- Global Initiative
on Promoting Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems
A number of UNEP funded projects through the Global Environmental
Facility (GEF) are currently being implemented by the Institute
for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP). These global
projects are mainly focused on providing technical assistance
on planning, design and implementation of BRT systems in Tanzania,
Colombia and Indonesia. In addition, non-motorized transport
e.g pedestrian pathways and cycling networks are also integrated
in the projects. A comprehensive Planning
Guide on BRT is also available
Alternative fuels
A number of activities around sustainability of biofuels are
underway. Biofuels can be an alternative, lower-carbon fuel for
both, stationary applications and transport. Potential benefits
from biofuels, however, do not necessarily materialise, and a
number of potential environmental and social risks need to be
addressed.
- Roundtable
of Sustainable Biofuels (RSB)
UNEP is a member of the Roundtable of Sustainable Biofuels (RSB),
a multi-stakeholder initiative hosted by the Ecole Polytechnique
de Lausanne that has the objective to develop principles and
criteria for sustainable production of biofuels.
- International
Resource Panel
This panel on the sustainable use of natural resources has set
up a working group on biofuels. Amongst other issues, the working
group will look at options of efficient use of resources, including
an assessment of 'stationary use versus use of biofuels for
transport'.
Energy Efficiency
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Promoting
vehicles energy efficiency
UNEP has been promoting fuel economy improvement efforts working
with a number of public and private sector partners in raising
awareness and enhance the understanding of low cost technology
options, the policy options available and their likely impacts.
In support from Michelin, UNEP and the International Energy
Agency have jointly organized two workshops during their annual
Challenge Bibendum
events. In addition, a component approach currently being
implemented is the Promotion of environmentally friendly vehicle
air conditioning with a focus CO2 based system and energy
efficiency improvement features
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