To help raise awareness of sustainable transport solutions to climate change, the "Train to Paris" will bring delegates including national governments, NGOs, decision-makers and journalists from across Europe and Asia by train to Paris for the COP21 United Nations Conference on Climate Change to be held from 30 November - 11 December in Paris.
Public transport is increasingly recognised as a key solution thanks in no small part to UITP's efforts.
Gunnar Heipp, chair of the UITP Sustainable Development Committee, who will be part of the German delegation on the train for COP 21 said: "The aim is to help to raise awareness of sustainable transport solutions in order to tackle climate change. The good news is that public transport is increasingly recognised as a key solution thanks in no small part to UITP's efforts".
To illustrate this point, a new report released last week by the UN packed with best practice climate policies from across the world reveals a wealth of existing opportunities for immediate reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in order to keep the global average temperature rise below 2 degrees Celsius.
“Climate Action Now – A Summary for Policymakers 2015” underlines that shifting to public transport is a key mitigation source and highlights the need to utilise existing initiatives to meet the common challenge of climate change and sustainable development. UITP's Declaration on Climate Leadership is specifically mentioned as a leading initiative in the transport sector that will help Parties deliver on their climate efforts.
The report, released by the secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at the request of governments, provides a straightforward, inspiring go-to-reference to assist ministers, advisors and policy makers pursuing climate actions now and over the years and decades to come.
The findings spotlight how effective policies geared towards public transport not only reduce emissions rapidly but also advance economic and social goals.