Innovative clean transport business models: training for public officials

The New Urban agenda commits leaders to improving and greening public transport, which reduces air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions and improves livability for residents along transit routes. Low emission bus fleets can help cut local and global emissions and improve passenger journeys through less noise pollution and vibration, which make for a more enjoyable journey for passengers and drivers.

The training event will provide a hands-on introduction for public officials from local, subnational, and national administrations and other stakeholders (including the private sector), to international examples of cities transitioning their fleets to electric vehicles, and help them address some of the hurdles they may face bringing about this transition in their own city. The emphasis of the session is to provide practical and actionable strategies to understand and implement clean transport 'business models': the set of components, activities and relationships that go into the delivery of a low emission bus service, with a focus on how the interaction between the technical, economic, financial, and legal dimensions of service delivery. Key questions are: what technological innovations and other elements should cities invest in to transition to cleaner fleets? What funding sources exist, and how can cities unlock investment capital for upfront investments? How should cities structure policy and contracting frameworks for the implementation of on-the-ground solutions?

The training event introduces participants to the 'Business Model Framework' (BMF), an approach developed by WRI as part of the Financing Sustainable Cities Initiative (FSCI), a partnership between WRI Cities and C40, funded by the Citi Foundation. The approach is used to build capacity, identify and define the roles of each stakeholder, facilitate multi-actor dialogue and collaboration, and supporting innovation of key actors to adapting existing approaches to their local context. The BMF tool has been used to help numerous cities map out the different options available for investments in sustainable urban services, including electric buses, bike-sharing systems, BRT, TOD, and energy efficient buildings. Public officials will be able to grasp the foundations of business models for clean transport and provide them with actionable strategies to take the next step once they return to their city. The training time introduces public officials to new approaches and resources that continue supporting them beyond the few hours that they are in the room.

The implementation of a more sustainable and efficient public transport system will facilitate access to basic services and increase mobility for all. Successful local implementation of these systems generates benefits associated with connectivity while reducing the negative impacts related to inefficiency and pollution. Our research and activities seek to directly address articles 15, 54, 60, 66, 88, 113, 115, 116, 118, 121, 150, and 151 of the New Urban Agenda, as well as SDG 3 (Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages), SDG 7 (Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all), SDG 13 (Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts) and especially SDG 11 (Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable).