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

Travel and transport are essential parts of modern life. We depend on transport to travel to work, for shopping and leisure, by car, by bus, by train, by walking and cycling. Human powered mobility can also contribute to our health and well-being through physical activity.

But transport also has harmful effects on the environment and on our health – through congestion, accidents, pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

More than ever, we need to be aware of the crucial connection between transport, health and the environment.  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 the three sectors on an equal footing. THE PEP pools capacities and skills from Europe, Caucasus, Central Asia and North America: translating national policy into local action. It offers a platform for countries to share information and know-how and benefit from 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:

No. 1: To contribute to sustainable economic development and stimulate job creation through investment in environment- and health-friendly transport.

No. 2: To manage sustainable mobility and promote a more efficient transport system.

No. 3: To reduce emissions of transport-related greenhouse gases, air pollutants and noise and

No. 4: To 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.