Using climate finance to facilitate and promote cycling
The transport sector is the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Particularly in emerging countries, increased use of cars is contributing to low air quality, traffic congestion and an increase in greenhouse gas emissions.
With the emerging and developing countries urbanizing at a rapid rate, transport policy choices made today will have long lasting effects on the global greenhouse gas emissions trajectory. Promoting bicycles for urban and semi-urban transport can contribute to sustainable development and improve the quality of life in cities.
Climate finance can support municipalities in emerging economies to promote and facilitate cycling and develop bike-friendly infrastructure. Prioritizing bicycles ensures personal mobility of all income groups. Investing in car infrastructure only marginalizes the poor as they either cannot take part or have to spend a large share of their dispensable income on transport, particularly in LDCs. In addition, bicycles do not rely on fossil fuels which many developing countries subsidise and/or import.
Download the article: cycling__climate_finance_briefing
