A functioning transport infrastructure is the backbone of every economy. Sustainable transport concepts promote the economy, protect the environment and the climate and allow poor people to access jobs, education and health services. The transportation of people and goods is of high importance for the increasing globalization progress in the world. Trade between economically strong regions continues to be more and more important.

However, increasing traffic has also negative effects for countries. It is expected that registered cars will increase from 1 billion in 2010 to 1.8 billion in 2030. All vehicles needs space, consume fuel and cause harmful emissions. Energy efficiency and environmental protection plays therefore a more and more important in developing a sustainable transport sector.

In the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2015–30 transport is a key contributor to sustainable development.

Of the SDG framework’s 169 targets, five are directly related to the transport sector:

• By 2020, halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents. (Target 3.6.)
• By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency. (Target 7.3.)
• Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and trans-border infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all. (Target 9.1.)
• By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities, and older persons. (Target 11.2.)
• Rationalize inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption by removing market distortions, in accordance with national circumstances, including by restructuring taxation and phasing out those harmful subsidies, where they exist, to reflect their environmental impacts, taking fully into account the specific needs and conditions of developing countries and minimizing the possible adverse impacts on their development in a manner that protects the poor and the affected communities. (Target 12.c.)

But transport is also a critical enabler of achievement in other sectors’ targets, such as agricultural productivity (Target 2.1), air pollution (3.9), access to safe drinking water (6.1.), sustainable cities (11.6), reduction of food loss (12.3), and climate change adaptation and mitigation (13.1).

Luvent Consulting address challanges that the infrastructure & transport sector is facing in the near future.