February is the time to transform transport

There has never been a better time to look at the future of global transport. From mass transit riders to vehicle manufacturers and logistics operators, climate change and the coronavirus pandemic have disrupted transport and the people and businesses that rely on it in new and unprecedented ways. 

A virtual conference co-hosted by the World Bank and World Resources Institute Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, Transforming Transportation 2022 will examine ways to speed post-COVID recovery and incorporate post-COP26 commitments into new ideas on mobility.

Now in its 19th year, Transforming Transportation has gained a reputation for generating and elevating solutions for some of the biggest challenges in the transport sector, especially those pertaining to developing countries.

This year, the conference takes on a fresh look. The theme is climate-smart mobility for sustainable recovery. Over two days, the discussions will address the climate impact of transport and highlight the sector’s role in building a sustainable recovery after the persistent setbacks of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Transport is central to the way the world works. But it is also a sector that plays a large role in climate change: 

• Projections show that most new transport emissions will come from non-OECD countries
• In fact, if nothing changes, low and middle-income countries could account for as much as 75% of all transport emissions by 2050
• And transport contributes to about 20% of total GHG emissions, with over 77% of them coming from cars and trucks
• Transport emissions will rise by 60% by 2050 if nothing is done

Transforming Transportation is both a solutions-oriented forum and a place for global leaders to envision the future.  This year’s agenda is star-studded and includes: U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, COP26 President Alok Sharma, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, and Micronesian President David Panuelo. Also joining the conference are the World Bank’s Managing Director Mari Pangestu and Ani Dasgupta, WRI’s President.

Sessions will touch all aspects of global transport. One will rethink the planning and design of the way passengers and cargo move from place to place. Another will focus on freight and logistics as an often-overlooked contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Yet another will home in decarbonizing transport in Asia and the Pacific, looking at lessons learned from the region and debating new ideas. And another will tackle the continuing debate over building and designing for climate resilience.

A virtual format allows the World Bank and WRI to cast a wide net and bring more people to the discussion. This year, Transforming Transportation will have a new “2+1” format--two days, along with one overnight session (ET time) to allow participants from Asia-Pacific to join in the discussion. 

The Transforming Transportation conference takes place February 16-17. There are two ways to join: 

• Register in advance to access to the full conference, which includes streaming in English, French and Spanish; networking opportunities, and virtual knowledge booths, and specialized breakout sessions
• Watch select sessions as they happen on World Bank Live

However you choose to join, you can participate in the conversation on social media with the hashtag #TTDC22.

We look forward to seeing you there. Register today and tweet the conference with your networks:

I’m attending #TTDC22, the largest global forum on #transport and #climate issues. Join me, @WBG_Transport and @WRIRossCities for two days of engaging discussion: https://www.transformingtransportation.org/ 

Can sustainable transport help us build back better and create a greener future? We certainly think so! Register for #TTDC22 to explore the future of mobility with global leaders and experts https://www.transformingtransportation.org/