The world marked World Sustainable Transport Day on 26 November, with the United Nations urging governments, industries and citizens to accelerate efforts to build cleaner and more efficient transport systems that support global sustainable development.
Established by the UN General Assembly in 2023, the Day highlights the crucial role that environmentally responsible transport plays in achieving the **Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)**, especially as countries work to cut emissions, improve urban mobility and support economic growth.
In his message, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the transport sector remains one of the hardest to decarbonise.
“The transport sector accounts for around a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions, and 91 per cent of its energy comes from fossil fuels,” he said. “I am convinced that humanity can overcome its dependence on climate-damaging fuels and build sustainable, low-carbon transport systems.”
Cities at the Centre of the Challenge
More than half of the global population now lives in cities, which generate over 60% of global GDP but also more than 70% of worldwide carbon emissions, according to the UN. This is a central issue in SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, prompting increased international cooperation to reshape urban mobility.
During Brazil’s 2025 presidency of BRICS, member countries discussed ways to develop sustainable transport infrastructure and expand clean urban mobility. Brazil highlighted its progress on Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), launching a new plant to produce synthetic oil from renewable sources such as used cooking oil and agricultural waste. Experts say pure SAF can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional jet fuel.
BRICS ministers also emphasised modernising and decarbonising bus fleets, expanding metro and rapid tram networks and securing international financing, including through the BRICS New Development Bank.
In the Rio de Janeiro Declaration issued on 6 July 2025, BRICS leaders reaffirmed their commitment to developing “sustainable and resilient transport infrastructure,” promoting active mobility, and encouraging wider use of zero- and low-emission vehicles.
Public Behaviour Matters
Experts stress that meeting global climate and development targets depends not only on government action but also on everyday choices—such as using public transport, switching to electric vehicles, travelling by bicycle or walking short distances instead of driving.
Growing demand for two-wheeled transport is also shaping mobility worldwide. Global motorcycle sales reached a record 61.8 million units in 2024, driven by demand in Japan, Germany, India, China and the United States. Charging stations for electric scooters, mopeds and motorcycles are also becoming increasingly common.
Preserving the Past While Innovating for the Future
While the push for sustainable mobility accelerates, enthusiasts continue to preserve the engineering legacy of earlier eras. In the Russian city of Chelyabinsk, a private museum displays 115 fully restored motorcycles, some of them the last surviving examples of their kind.
Among the rarest is the 1961 “Malyutka” (Little One), built from improvised materials by self-taught engineer Vladimir Sharabin—a design reportedly tested by Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev. Another standout exhibit is the 1963 “Baby” folding scooter, designed for geologists and light enough to be carried on the shoulder.
The museum also houses iconic models from around the world, including India’s late-1970s “Raja”, produced in the millions after being adapted from a Japanese prototype.
Founder Nikolay Avdeev and his team restore each machine using archival documents, photographs, manuals and custom-made parts, some produced on 3D printers. Among their most challenging restorations was a Soviet-era cargo moped for postal services—only one prototype survived.
Looking Ahead
As the UN emphasises, sustainable transport is no longer a luxury but an essential pathway toward achieving global development goals. With governments investing in cleaner mobility and innovators pushing technological boundaries, the future of transport is expected to be increasingly low-carbon, efficient and accessible.
And as history shows—from early motorbikes to today’s electric innovations—the journey toward more sustainable mobility continues to gather speed.
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