TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE
TRANSPORTATIONOECD International Conference, Vancouver Canada
TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE
TRANSPORTATION
The ability of technological and institutional advances to satisfy a growing demand for people and goods transportation, has not been paralleled by advances to reduce the environmental consequences of such growth in mobility. In the longer term, integration of environmental considerations into transportation decision makings from the outset will result in the evolution of more sustainable transportation systems. At issue is the immediate action needed to address environmental impacts and, at the same time, put in place a policy framework to guide development of and achieve continuous improvements to the sustainability of transportation services.
A new balance must be struck between economic and social drivers for transportation action and national and international requirements for environmental protection, to prevent pollution and to conserve resources.
The evolution of sustainable transportation systems will be guided by a mix of voluntary, economic and regulatory policies and mechanisms designed to enable passengers, shippers and carriers to make more sustainable decisions about their transportation preferences. Sustainable transportation actions require collective commitments and partnerships for action within and between all levels of government, by shippers and carriers and by the public at large.
With these considerations in mind the paper will propose a nation framework for sustainable transportation. The elements of this framework are:
a. The Canadian government's Sustainable Development policy whose application in all sectors of the economy will guide and be supported by the evolution of sustainable transportation systems.
b. The goal of and principles which must be addressed in a sustainable transportation strategy.
c. Indicators, performance measures, national and international transportation and environmental legal regimes, and objectives for sustainable transportation.
d. Mechanisms for building sustainable transportation and their application to a Canadian sustainable transportation strategy.
The paper will also review current major challenges to the evolution of sole transportation systems, nationally and internationally; and will discuss how the framework is being applied in the context of Transport Canada's Environmental Action plans and the Federal Action Plan for Climate Change.
David Bell, Robin Lewis, Rick Delaney
Environmental Stewardship Team
Transport Canada