World Sustainable Transport Day

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Oftentimes, we take the issue of connectivity for granted. Connectivity is one of those infrastructures that we only notice when it fails. Whether it is internet access, access to roads and railway services, mobile networks, or even electricity grids, our daily lives hinge on these systems working seamlessly. Transport is vital for promoting connectivity, trade, economic growth and employment. On the other hand, transport is also implicated as a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. Without a doubt, resolving these trade-offs is essential to achieving sustainable transport and, through that, sustainable development. The first World Sustainable Transport Day is being observed on November 26. The United Nations (UN) defines sustainable transport as “the provision of services and infrastructure for the mobility of people and goods advancing economic and social development to benefit today’s and future generations in a manner that is safe, affordable, accessible, efficient, and resilient, while minimizing carbon and other emissions and environmental impacts.” Sustainable transport addresses the issues of universal access, enhanced safety, reduced environmental and climate impact, improved resilience, and greater efficiency. Undoubtedly, all these factors are pillars regarding sustainable development. The importance of having a reliable and sustainable transport system was hammered home here in Jamaica when Hurricane Melissa made landfall on October 28, 2025. Hurricane Melissa, a catastrophic Category 5 with wind speeds of 185 miles per hour disrupted and destroyed a significant portion of Jamaica’s transport services such as internet connectivity and the electrical grid. Unquestionably, within the society there is now a deeper appreciation of the importance of having sustainable transport. In addition to providing services and infrastructure for the mobility of people and goods, sustainable transport allows for the fast-tracking of progress towards other crucial sustainable development goals, such as eradicating poverty in all its dimensions, reducing inequality, empowering women, and combating climate change. It is important that we make informed lifestyle choices regarding transport given the impact our choices have on reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality. The choices we make regarding how we get from one place to another, whether by driving, flying, ferrying, biking, scooting, and public transportation can have a large impact on carbon emissions. The UN emphasizes the importance of cooperation in enhancing transport connectivity through an integrated intermodal transport system by developing quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, exchanging best practices to optimize the development of interconnected highways, roads, streets, railways, waterways, airways, areas of modal transfer and ports, and by encouraging transport infrastructure construction and operations to minimize consumption of energy, land and other resources; generate lower emissions of greenhouse gases, ozone-depleting substances and other pollutants and ensure a positive social impact. Global transport costs are a significant component of international trade, with logistics costs exceeding $11 trillion in 2023, or 10.6% of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP). These costs are influenced by factors like geography, infrastructure, and geopolitics. On this World Sustainable Transport Day let us be reminded that sustainable transport costs have a significant impact on the structure of economic activities as well as on international trade. Finally, sustainable transport is not an end in itself, but a means to achieve sustainable development. In the words of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, this first World Sustainable Transport Day reminds us that the road to a better future depends on cleaner and greener transportation systems. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #World Sustainable Transport Day

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