Sustainability in Public Transport

Overview on sustainability globally; sustainability issues such as climate change, poverty; how it is managed at the UN, by countries in their regulations; role of businesses in sustainability; link between PT and sustainability agenda.

• Global goals on sustainability (SDGs)
• Focus sustainability issues: climate change, poverty, gender equality
• Development of sustainability in business practices
• Management of sustainability in organisations

Public transport plays a vital role in advancing sustainability by reducing environmental impact, enhancing social equity, and supporting economic resilience. Active mobility: walking and cycling with combined mobility complementing public transport creates sustainable and liveable environments.

• Sustainable mobility and transport modes in cities
• Public transport (PT) in our societies: benefits of public transport for society, economy and environment
• PT as an employer: Corporate Social Responsibility
• Link between PT and SDGs
• PT market outlook: organisation
• Activities of UITP in relation to sustainability

Developing a sustainability policy and framework in public transport is a strategic approach that sets out an organisation’s commitment, objectives, and guidelines for operating in a sustainable manner.

• What constitutes a sustainability policy
• How is it developed?
• About processes: double materiality assessment, reporting, plan…

Reporting on sustainability is the practice of tracking, analysing, and publicly communicating an organisation’s environmental, social, and economic impacts. It allows companies, governments, and institutions to demonstrate accountability, transparency, and commitment to sustainable development goals.

• What is sustainability reporting? Why is it important?
• Frameworks and regulations worldwide
• How to develop sustainability reporting
• The link between reporting, finance and strategy
• Reporting on the supply chain

Climate events significantly impact public transport systems in various ways, affecting infrastructure, facilities, operations, and overall reliability. Extreme weather events such as hurricanes, floods, and high winds can damage roads, bridges, railways, and transit stations. Flooding can lead to erosion, weakening the foundations of these structures and requiring costly repairs or replacements.

Service interruptions, delays, repair and maintenance costs, and reliability of public transport system are subjected to any climate events.

Climate events pose significant challenges to public transport systems, requiring robust adaptation and resilience strategies to ensure safety, reliability, and sustainability.

• Climate risks, opportunities and impacts
• UITP Climate Change adaptation framework
• Why is it important for PT
• Develop a comprehensive, focused and effective climate action plan
• Levers of actions for public transport

Staff play a critical role in advancing sustainability goals within any organisation, including public transport. Employees are not only the ones implementing sustainable practices but also influence how effectively and consistently these practices are followed.

• Diversity and inclusion
• Working conditions
• Supporting the adoption of sustainable practices by the staff at work and beyond

Sustainable finance refers to the integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria into financial decision-making, with the goal of funding projects and operations that have a positive impact on society and the environment. In public transport, sustainable finance can help to fund initiatives that reduce emissions, promote social equity, and enhance operational resilience.

• What is sustainable finance
• The link with PT
• What does it mean for an organisation

Sustainability in procurement is the practice of considering environmental, social, and economic impacts when making purchasing decisions. For public transport organisations, sustainable procurement means selecting products, services, and suppliers that support long-term sustainability goals, such as reducing emissions and conserving resources.

• About procurement
• Conditions included in procurement to stir sustainable practices from suppliers
• How to implement

• Transit-Oriented Development (TOD): Creating sustainable, accessible, and interconnected transit hubs.
• Mobility as a Service (MaaS): Integrating different modes of transport to improve accessibility and reduce congestion.
• Active, Combined and share mobility

• Strategy, policy and implementation
• Transition to zero emission vehicles
• Alternative fuels and renewable energies

Operating expenses (Opex) make up the largest portion of the life cycle cost for public transport systems. By focusing on reducing these costs and improving efficiency during the operational phase, an organisation can become more sustainable.