Regional Transport Action Plan to propel shift towards sustainability — Jordan

Regional Transport Action Plan to propel shift towards sustainability — Jordan

Accelerating the shift to sustainable, climate-neutral transport systems is a main objective of the Union for the Mediterranean’s (UfM) new Regional Transport Action Plan (2021-2027), according to a UfM official.

In a recent interview with The Jordan Times, Francesc Carbonell, head of the Transport Sector of UfM General Secretariat and a leading expert in the Transport industry in the Euro-Mediterranean region, pointed out that sustainable transport is mainstreamed across eight Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the UN’s 2030 Agenda.

“This highlights the cross-cutting role of safe, accessible and sustainable transport services, which can contribute to fostering economic and social development at a regional and cross-border level,” he said.

The transition towards more sustainable mobility involves pursuing emissions reduction targets across all modes of transport, he added.

Examples of guiding measures that can be adopted to make maritime transport more environmentally friendly include the deployment of alternative fuels and the use of shore-side electricity for docked vessels, which enables them to turn off their engines, as well as relegating “the access of the most polluting ships to ports”, according to Carbonell.

Moreover, “smart traffic management systems” enabled by digitalisation can help reduce congestion and pollution in cities, he added.

The most recent UfM transport plan also aims