Transport ministers from all European countries are to call this autumn for a "decoupling...of transport demand and economic growth", following a UN negotiating session in Geneva which ended today. Negotiators have "essentially finalised" text for a political declaration to be made at a ministerial conference on transport and environment in Vienna in November. The text includes an aim to "reduce the potential for transport demand, particularly from private cars".
Some 30 countries took part in the negotiations, under the aegis of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE). The final declaration will be binding on countries throughout Europe as well as the USA and Canada.
The text of the draft declaration is heavily influenced by the jargon of sustainable development introduced since the 1992 Earth Summit. A section entitled "towards sustainable transport" contains aims to "promote sustainable patterns of production and consumption", "promote internalisation of external costs", and "integrate the principles of sustainable development".
Though it contains little policy detail, the text does include a number of significant prescriptions. The most radical speak of "reducing" road transport. Private cars are singled out in a section on reducing overall transport demand. A further section calls on governments to promote a "shift of road and air traffic, both passenger and freight..., to more eco-efficient modes of transport, such as rail, maritime, inland waterway and combined transport."
The text also calls for action to reduce air pollution from aviation, suggesting tighter standards for nitrogen oxide emissions, development of carbon dioxide standards for aircraft and introduction of emission-related taxes or charges.
A controversial section of the draft calls on signatory countries to take special measures to protect sensitive areas from transport impacts on health and the environment. The text also contains a call to "limit the use in international traffic" of vehicles that do not meet international environmental and safety requirements.
In addition to the political declaration, delegates discussed a plan of action on transport and environment and three proposed amendments to a 1968 UN/ECE convention. Almost no progress was made on these, according to UN/ECE officials. "There was no agreement on virtually anything", said one, "which is a little sad because this was the fourteenth preparatory session" for the November conference.
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