As we near the end of the HVT programme, we’ve been reflecting on the key themes of our work with stakeholders in the programme.
Here, Maruxa Cardama, Secretary General at SLOCAT, shares how HVT’s work has not only expanded policy knowledge in the sector, but also deepened collaboration.
Transport policies have a huge potential to boost sustainable and inclusive growth in LMICs, especially where there might have historically been limited investment in infrastructure or governance. Strong transport policy frameworks can drive investment and development, and be completely transformative for rapidly urbanising and growing populations, yet getting effective policies in place – and turning policy into actionable plans – is no easy task.
It’s a task made more urgent and pressurised by climate change, and transport must play a key part not only in reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality and well-being, but also in building resilience to climate risks and adapting infrastructure to withstand changing conditions. We are at a make-or-break moment in history to address the alarming realities of transport greenhouse gas emissions: current policies and frameworks remain insufficient to align transport with the 1.5°C target of the Paris Agreement.
The upcoming years present a pivotal window to turn existing challenges into opportunities and accelerate progress towards sustainable, low-carbon transport. Achieving meaningful emission reductions in transport while aligning the sector with broader sustainability, equity and resilience objectives requires cohesive action. This means integrating policies, planning and regulations with robust institutional frameworks and accessible financing mechanisms to ensure effective implementation. It’s crucial to raise the bar towards ambitious measures in the next Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and their alignment with national transport policies. And we must set the conditions to achieve meaningful progress during the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport set to launch in 2026.
HVT’s work recognises the challenges that policymakers face in LMICs, and has taken on a role to build robust research that not only expands knowledge but also deepens collaboration. Perhaps most critical, is that the research offers practical support to planners and policymakers that can be tailored to the needs and assets of individual countries.
SLOCAT’s work with HVT includes four projects that have aimed to enhance ambition and robustness of transport strategies, improve access to climate finance, deepen understanding among policymakers of the performance of their transport sectors, improve collection and analysis of reliable data and advance collaborative data platforms. We’re proud to have contributed to the knowledge in these areas and also to know the work provides a launch-pad for what comes next.
We have a unique opportunity to make transformative changes to transport systems worldwide by addressing systemic inefficiencies, closing the gap on climate finance on transport, while creating evidence-based momentum for ambitious global, national and sub-national action. The challenges ahead are immense. However, the strategies and tools developed under the HVT programme demonstrate that solutions are within reach.