Skip to main content

We need better connected transport, says OECD

Better connected transport will drive economic growth and better protect the environment, according to the Transport Outlook 2012 report on mobility trends produced by the International Transport Forum at the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). The new influential report was launched by OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría during the Annual Summit of Transport Ministers held in Leipzig, Germany. “Transport and technology form the backbone of global trade,” said Gurría at the summ
May 4, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
Better connected transport will drive economic growth and better protect the environment, according to the Transport Outlook 2012 report on mobility trends produced by the 1102 International Transport Forum at the OECD (3685 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development).

The new influential report was launched by OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría during the Annual Summit of Transport Ministers held in Leipzig, Germany.

“Transport and technology form the backbone of global trade,” said Gurría at the summit.

“Connecting places and people creates opportunities for new markets and better connections can increase productivity.  Making well-targeted investments in new capacity and intelligent, smart mobility technologies and ensuring their best possible use can provide a new source of growth.”

According to the Outlook, entitled ‘Seamless Transport for Green Growth,’ the transport sector could play a key role in moving the world economy towards a more sustainable path. 

“Going green in transport does not mean giving up mobility: it implies mobility with a smaller environmental footprint,” said Gurría. “Thinking seamless is a bid to align mobility aspirations with aspirations for greener growth.”

Key findings of the 2012 Transport Outlook include:

  • Global passenger transport volumes could be 2 to 2.5 times as large in 2050 as they are now. Outside the OECD, passenger volumes could rise by a factor of 2.5 to 3.5; in the OECD growth could be around 30%.

  • Global freight transport volumes in 2050 could be 2 to 4 times as large as they are today. Within the OECD, freight volumes could double; outside the OECD they could be more than five times as large.

  • CO2-emissions from transport could grow by a factor of 1.5 to 2.5 between 2010 and 2050.

  • In advanced economies, emissions from passenger transport can be stabilised thanks to improved technology. Freight transport emissions will still rise, however, unless freight transport grows only half as fast as GDP.

  • Passenger mobility policies could reduce emission growth outside the OECD by anywhere from a quarter to one-third by 2050.

  • In the longer run, policy should be used to stimulate alternative energy sources. Diversity in transport energy is preferred to replacing fossil fuels with another dominant source.

Related Content

  • Mumbai traffic growth to expand fast
    December 7, 2016
    Mumbai will suffer gridlock in the future unless key measures are taken. That is the conclusion of a new report from the International Transport Forum (ITF). The city could see traffic growth of up to 3000% by 2050 compared with vehicle use for 2015. Meanwhile this massive growth in vehicle traffic could also result in a huge jump in vehicle emissions, with CO2 emissions growing 706% over the same period, according to the report. The ITF produced the report on Mumbai’s traffic issues through the Organisa
  • Changing policy for Europe’s road funding?
    August 27, 2013
    The 2011 EC White Paper on Transport acknowledges that transport is the backbone of Europe’s economy, directly employing 10 million people and accounting for approximately 5% of EU GDP. In addition, it recognises that ‘infrastructure shapes mobility’ and that ‘curbing mobility is not an option’. Given the importance policymakers place on the ability to move people and goods seamlessly across Europe, it becomes rather hard to explain why they have neglected for so long the main ‘vehicle’ for mobility acro
  • Registration open for International Transport Forum’s 2014 Summit
    January 17, 2014
    Registration is now open for the 2014 Summit of the International Transport Forum at the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). Under the theme ‘Transport for a Changing World: Understanding Trends – Shaping Responses’, this year’s event will take place 21-23 May in Leipzig, Germany. The ITF Summit is the leading global forum for transport policy; it is also referred to as the ‘Davos of Transport’. In 2013, 1,000 participants from 80 countries attended, including transport ministers
  • Ministerial talks at International Transport Forum summit in Leipzig, Germany
    May 22, 2013
    Ministers responsible for transport infrastructure from the 54 member countries of the International Transport Forum at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) were meeting today in Leipzig, Germany, for a three-day summit to discuss the future of funding transport. According to OECD figures, air passenger travel is projected to double, air transport to triple and container handling in ports to quadruple by 2030. Investment needs for transport infrastructure to 2030 are estimated a