Open letter urges COP28 delegates to get behind new walking and cycling policies

In a move aimed at catalyzing action on climate change, The Partnership for Active Travel and Health (PATH) has issued a compelling open letter to world leaders participating in COP28. The missive, endorsed by various organizations, implores the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), governments, and negotiators to prioritize walking and cycling policies within the realm of mobility policies and the broader climate agenda.

The call to action stems from PATH’s latest report, which scrutinizes walking and cycling policies across 197 UNFCCC countries. Alarmingly, the findings reveal that a mere eight countries across three continents have committed to active travel in their national policies. The letter underscores the urgent need for increased attention, prioritization, and investment in walking and cycling to accelerate progress on climate goals and enhance the well-being of global citizens.

PATH emphasizes the critical role of walking and cycling in decarbonizing transport and achieving the objectives of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. The organization’s research underscores the vast potential for replacing motorized vehicle trips with active modes of transport. Despite this potential, the open letter highlights the lack of prioritization for active transport in the UNFCCC and broader climate agenda, as well as in countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

“Enabling more people to walk and cycle safely is a quick, affordable and reliable way to help reduce transport emissions by as much as 50%,” reads the letter, in part.

The letter outlines key actions that, when adopted in national policies and embedded in NDCs, can contribute to this significant emission reduction. These actions include investing in infrastructure, launching campaigns to shift mobility habits, implementing effective land use planning, integrating active transport with public transit, and building capacity for successful strategy implementation.

While PATH acknowledges growing momentum for walking and cycling policies, it contends that greater ambition, action, and investment are needed globally to unlock the full potential of these modes of transport. The organization urges the UNFCCC to elevate the priority of walking and cycling in climate negotiations, urging member countries to align their national policies and NDCs with a shared vision of fostering safe, accessible, and enjoyable walking and cycling experiences.

As part of its proactive approach, PATH has introduced the Active Mobility Policy Template. This tool is designed to assist governments in crafting more effective national walking and cycling policies, aligning them with updated NDCs ahead of the 2025 deadline. Countries are encouraged to use the template for self-assessment during the COP28 global stocktake, identifying gaps, fortifying commitments, and taking decisive action.

The open letter concludes with a firm conviction that placing walking and cycling at the core of policies and commitments to address climate change represents a fast-track solution to achieve urgent climate goals. PATH and its supporters express readiness to collaborate with COP28 delegates in this pivotal process.