Expanding climate-friendly and inclusive urban mobility

Colombia	Agencia Presidencial de Cooperación Internacional de Colombia (APC-Colombia)
Colombia	Presidential Agency for International Cooperation of Colombia

People board a public bus. Source: Productora Audiovisual Tres Hermanos de Colombia.

Context

Colombia wants to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 51 per cent by 2030. The country is one of the largest emitters in Latin America. Transport accounts for 36 per cent of Colombia’s energy sector emissions. As the majority of people live in cities, this is where mobility is crucial to reduce carbon emissions, enhance the competitiveness of cities, and improve the lives of the people who live there.

In spite of modern bus rapid transit systems, in larger cities fewer passengers use public transport every year. This trend has been exacerbated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the use of public transport was limited and there was a steady increase in the number of vehicles. Even though the use of bicycles to commute has increased over recent years as a result of several national and local measures, the proportion of all trips made by bicycle is far below potential.

Objective

Colombian cities are implementing measures to reduce carbon emissions, improve the scope and quality of urban transport systems, and facilitate access to mobility services. This will make the cities more climate friendly and inclusive in the challenging context of climate change.

A cyclist uses a cycle lane in a town. Source: Productora Audiovisual Mamá Sur de Colombia.

Approach

The project is working with the Colombian Government and the cities to implement guidelines, strategies and innovative pilot projects for low-carbon urban transport, and to develop the relevant capacity.

Together with the national government it is improving the technical and regulatory framework as well as finance for climate-friendly urban mobility.
It is also nurturing institutional expertise in medium-sized cities to establish pilot projects with the aim of improving public transport, promoting non-motorised transport, organising traffic and using digitalisation and new mobility solutions.
Furthermore, the project is building the capacity required in public administration and in companies to implement climate-friendly urban mobility, improve coordination and develop communications strategies.