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Urban transport system refers to the movement of people and goods within and between urban areas. It includes various modes of transport, such as public transit, private vehicles, bicycles, walking, etc. Clean environment means the quality of air, water, land and other natural resources that affect human health and well-being.

The relationship between urban transport system and clean environment is complex and interdependent. On one hand, urban transport system can contribute to environmental problems, such as greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, noise pollution, land use change, etc. On the other hand, urban transport system can also provide solutions for environmental challenges, such as reducing emissions, improving air quality, enhancing livability, etc.

The status of urban transport system and clean environment varies across different cities and regions in the world. Some cities have made significant progress in developing sustainable and green transport systems, while others are still facing serious challenges. According to a report by OECD¹, urban travel is responsible for 40% of all greenhouse gas emissions from passenger transport. Between 2015 and 2050, demand for urban passenger transport is poised to more than double after a temporary dip due to Covid-19¹. Another report by Springer² states that the reasons behind such environmental issues are poor urban transport management strategies, lack of eco-friendly policies, and lack of implementation of sustainable indicators that can control vehicular emission with the economy and social context of transportation measures.

Different international organizations are handling this issue in various ways. For example, the United Nations has launched a multi-agency report that provides a guide to achieving sustainable transport⁸. The report highlights the need for new and emerging technologies, policy innovations, and inclusive transport strategies that benefit everyone, including the poorest⁸. The World Bank has been assisting India in developing appropriate solutions to the sector’s tremendous challenges⁷. The World Bank projects support the Government of India’s efforts to reform and develop the railways, improve the highways, increase the network of rural roads, upgrade urban transport, pilot applications of ITS technology, and improve road safety⁷. The International Transport Forum (ITF) has published a report on how to make urban mobility clean and green. The report suggests that electrification of motorized vehicles is a promising option for decarbonising urban mobility, but it requires rapid scaling up and integration with renewable energy sources.
Some eco-friendly policies for urban transport include rebuilding mass transit systems, promoting multimodality, electrifying transportation, creating pedestrian and cycling-friendly infrastructure, building climate-resilient transport infrastructure, and investing in new technologies to reduce emissions. These policies aim to improve public transport accessibility, reduce reliance on private cars, decrease greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, promote physical activity, enhance climate resilience, and foster innovation in the transport sector. Implementing these policies can contribute to creating sustainable and livable cities.

References

(1) Urban passenger transport: Cities can make mobility sustainable …. https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/316ba973-en/index.html?itemId=/content/component/316ba973-en.
(2) Evaluation of urban transport-environment sustainable … – Springer. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10668-021-01353-9.
(3) Transport transformation critical to address climate change and …. https://bing.com/search?q=urban+transport+system+and+clean+environment.
(4) India: Safe, Clean, Affordable, and Smart Transport – World Bank Group. https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/india/brief/india-safe-clean-affordable-smart-transport.
(5) How to Make Urban Mobility Clean and Green | ITF. https://www.itf-oecd.org/urban-mobility-clean-green.
(6) Main principles of building green and sustainable urban transport systems. https://unece.org/sites/default/files/2021-09/WP5_Session34_Principles_Green_Sustainable_Urban_Transport_Systems.pdf.
(7) State of Urban Transport Systems – Centre for Science and Environment. https://www.cseindia.org/state-of-urban-transport-systems-8971.
(8) Policymaking Towards Green Mobility in India | ORF. https://www.orfonline.org/research/policymaking-towards-green-mobility-in-india/.
(9) SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. https://sdgs.un.org/sites/default/files/2021-10/Transportation%20Report%202021_FullReport_Digital.pdf.
(10) 3 Ways to Reimagine Public Transport for People and the Climate. https://www.wri.org/insights/3-ways-reimagine-public-transport-people-and-climate.
(11) Transport transformation critical to address climate change and …. https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2021/10/transport-transformation-critical-to-address-climate-change-and-universal-access-to-safe-affordable-resilient-mobility/.
(12) Urban Transportation Systems of 24 Global Cities. https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/McKinsey/Business%20Functions/Sustainability/Our%20Insights/Elements%20of%20success%20Urban%20transportation%20systems%20of%2024%20global%20cities/Urban-transportation-systems_e-versions.ashx.
(13) Sustainable transport and air pollution – UNEP – UN Environment Programme. https://www.unep.org/explore-topics/resource-efficiency/what-we-do/cities/sustainable-transport-and-air-pollution.
(14) Sustainable transport key to green energy shift: UN Secretary-General. https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/10/1103062.
(15) The Road to Sustainable Transport | International Institute for …. https://www.iisd.org/articles/deep-dive/road-sustainable-transport.