AR-GEF Sustainable and Transport and Air Quality Project

closed

The Argentina Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Sustainable Transport and Air Quality (STAQ) Program, as well as the STAQ Program, concern to reduce the rate of growth of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transport in Latin America through the promotion of less energy intensive and cleaner modes of transport. In addition, it serves as an example of how cites can tackle environmental problems, and implement sustainable transport policies through a national program, which at the same time builds on a larger regional program consistent with the programmatic goals of GEF operation policy 11 and the GEF strategic priority in climate change focal area (CC-6). The project will finance technical assistance and some pilot interventions in four selected metropolitan areas in Argentina to remove barriers for sustainable transport. The four sub-projects will co-fund measures in the three thematic windows. Window 2: better coordination and integration of transport and land-use planning and environmental management: technical assistance and measures to foster more integrated transport and land use planning to reduce the use of private motor vehicles, reduce trip lengths, and increase the accessibility to public and non-motorized transport. Funding is to ensure adequate distribution of different types of technical assistance across a range of cities. Window 3: modal interconnection, and effectiveness and efficiency of public transport: pilot investments, and technical assistance to facilitate the improvement of public transport systems and/or improve the effectiveness and interconnectivity of those systems with other modes of transport and induce mode switching away from the use of private cars. Funding for this window is in order to ensure that cities with different levels of capacity and at different stages in the planning process for public transport systems are represented. Window 4: non-motorized transport: pilot investments and technical assistance to better integrate walking and biking into the culture and planning processes of cities, and to create incentives for their use. Funding is reflecting the absence of a cultural tradition of bicycle use in the region.