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The GEF will invest US$210 million in a new program to promote integrated low-carbon urban systems
Transport is a crucial sector for sustainable development. When done right, transport can help expand economic opportunities and contribute to poverty reduction. However, rapid motorization is leading to congested cities, air pollution, accidents and rapid increases in greenhouse gas emissions – especially in developing countries – with global emissions from transport projected to increase 50% by 2030.
During GEF 6, the GEF will provide US$210 million to a new program to address low emission development needs at the city level. Transport in particular has significant climate change mitigation potential. Increased cooperation and investments are needed to develop sustainable transport solutions in developing countries to protect human health, improve economic growth and address climate change.
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Improved land use planning and investments in transport infrastructure such as integrated mass transit systems, bicycle paths, walkways, clean fuels and information communication technologies are urgently needed to avoid cities becoming “locked-in” to unsustainable transport infrastructure and urban development. Projects eligible for support under this GEF program may include:
- Urban initiatives that commit to GHG mitigation targets at the city level, which could utilize performance-based financing and incentives;
- Design and implementation of sustainable urban strategies, policies, and regulations, combining energy efficiency (buildings, lighting, air conditioning, transport, district heating systems), renewable energy development (solar, wind, co-generation, waste-to-energy), and other sources of GHG emissions (solid waste and wastewater management);
- Land use management, planning, and zoning, including the integration of land use
- Innovative policies and mechanisms for freight and logistics services with the engagement of the private sector,
- Urban sustainable transport infrastructure and systems that reduce demand for car travel, including road and parking policies and pricing, zoning and street/urban design codes, and congestion pricing,
- Initiatives to assess and reduce the impacts of SLCFs at the urban level; and
- Initiatives to enhance broad community engagement and support for and use of emission reduction approaches and low-carbon technologies.
GEF support for energy-efficient, low-carbon transport makes a critical contribution to socio-economic development and energy security. GEF projects already underway improve access to affordable, efficient transport and public infrastructure for local communities and promote low-carbon urban design. To date, the GEF has invested US$293 million in sustainable transport globally, leveraging US$3.2 billion and resulting in reductions of GHG emissions of more than 190 million tons of CO2. GEF projects are underway in 90 cities around the world, creating a sustained impact in the transport sector and making a positive contribution in the lives of people every day by reducing local air pollution and traffic congestion.
Built on transport and urban investments supported in past GEF investment cycles, the GEF low-carbon urban systems program for GEF 6 will be accompanied by the Integrated Approach Pilot (IAP) on Sustainable Cities. The GEF is also supporting urban resilience through its Adaptation Strategy and is directing US$195 million towards projects that directly enhance urban resilience through the Least Developed Countries Fund and Special Climate Change Fund.