HIGHLIGHTS

THE PEP Toolbox Upcoming meetings 8-10 December 2010, Geneva, Switzerland: 8th session of the Steering Committee back-back with a symposium on Goal 1 of the Amsterdam Declaration and 13th meeting of the Bureau   ENG RUS Recent meetings 30 September- 1 October 2010, Batumi, Georgia: Workshop on safe and healthy walking and cycling in urban areas 7-8 June 2010, Skopje, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: Workshop on sustainable and healthy urban transport policies 10-12 March 2010, Parma, Italy: Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health and Side event on THE PEP

 

MAKING THE LINK - TRANSPORT CHOICES FOR OUR HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT AND PROSPERITY

 

Since the beginning of time people have travelled. On foot, on horseback, by boat, train, car, or bicycle. The developments in transport turn faster and faster, as they reflect the increasing speed of our lives. They greatly facilitate our mobility, but may have harmful effects on the environment and our health.

More than ever before, we need to be aware of the relationship between the three sectors. THE PEP – the Transport, Health and Environment Pan-European Programme – makes the link.

THE PEP, established in 2002, aims to bring together key players from these sectors and make integration a reality. THE PEP pools capacities and skills from Europe, Caucasus, Central Asia and North America, linking regional and grassroots players. It offers a platform for countries to share information and know-how and benefit from each other’s experience. By integrating transport, health and environment policies, THE PEP contributes to a greener economy, safeguarding health and the environment.

At the Third High-level Meeting on Transport, Health and Environment in January 2009, governments adopted the Amsterdam Declaration -- Making THE Link, Transport choices for our Health, Environment and Prosperity, giving renewed political impetus to THE PEP and agreed 4 priority goals to be reached by 2014 and concrete mechanisms to achieve them. The goals are:

• Contribute to sustainable economic development and stimulate job creation through investment in environment- and health-friendly transport

• Manage sustainable mobility and promote a more efficient transport system

• Reduce emissions of transport-related greenhouse gases, air pollutants and noise

• Promote policies and actions conducive to healthy and safe modes of transport

On the basis of the renewed work plan for 2009-2014, concrete projects are developed by THE PEP Steering Committee, composed of UNECE and WHO/Europe Member State representatives from the transport, environment and health sectors, in cooperation with international and non-governmental organizations.

THE PEP is serviced by the joint secretariat of the UNECE and WHO/Europe, working hand in hand to promote sustainable transport choices for our health, environment and prosperity.