UN releases recommendations for sustainable transport to support COVID-19 recovery

A UN Task Force of which POLIS is a member has developed a set of key recommendations to assist member States in the transition towards a new normal, with sustainable and healthy transport solutions at the heart of decision-making. 

The UN Task Force, set up in April 2020 by the UNECE under the Transport, Health and Environment Pan-European Programme (THE PEP), brings together more than 50 experts from member states, international institutions, academic and industry experts, to build the foundation for future sustainable transport solutions and support the changes brought by the coronavirus pandemic. 

Today more than ever, the pan-European region is situated at the forefront of sustainable mobility development, looking for solutions to achieve health, environment and prosperity in urban mobility and transportation. 

THE PEP provides a platform to accelerate the transformation of the transport sector and developed recommendations for member states to tackle the immediate effects of the pandemic, highlighting actions taken by member States to introduce green and healthy mobility solutions such as London’s Transport Strategy and France’s public transport recovery plan. 

The recommendations proposed by THE PEP cover a wide range of targeted actions, from promoting active mobility to increasing road safety, all developed around seven key themes: 

• Public space allocation for transport and spatial planning
• Increasing investment in public transport 
• Encouraging the adoption of e-mobility solutions
• Introducing mobility management solutions
• Facilitating the adoption of innovation and technology
• Supporting active mobility as a sustainable and healthy mode of transport
• Rebuilding the transport system in a fair and inclusive way

To read more about the different recommendations and the dedicated partnership created within THE PEP to assist member States in their implementation, visit the UNECE website.