Sustainable Transport for People, Planet, and Prosperity
The 2025 UN World Sustainable Transport Day webinar, “Sustainable Transport for People, Planet, and Prosperity,” brought together global experts, researchers, and community leaders to explore how transportation systems shape equity, climate resilience, and economic growth. Hosted by Jennifer and Aishat, the session highlighted real-world solutions and policy innovations that can help Canada transition toward a low-carbon, inclusive mobility future.
Feature Presentation: Linking Mobility, Equity, and Climate Resilience
Obie Agusiegbe delivered the keynote presentation, emphasizing how transportation intersects with poverty reduction, environmental justice, and sustainable development. He explained how transport poverty disproportionately affects marginalized communities in Canada and outlined how low-carbon systems can support both economic prosperity and climate resilience.
Obie also shared global examples, such as Bogotá’s bus rapid transit transformation, Rwanda’s rapidly growing e-mobility sector, and the Netherlands’ cycling-centered infrastructure, to demonstrate how policy, design, and technology can shape healthier cities.
Panel Discussion: Climate Action, Social Equity, and Sustainable Mobility
The webinar featured an engaging panel moderated by Obi, with insights from:
- Simon Donner, climate scientist at the University of British Columbia and member of Canada’s Net-Zero Advisory Body
- Dorinda from Point A, an organization advancing sustainable commuting solutions
- Gabriel Essu, co-founder of Thrive for Blacks, specializing in infrastructure projects and youth leadership
Together, they explored transportation’s impacts on marine and atmospheric health, the role of electric mobility, and how equitable transit systems can reduce poverty. The panelists agreed that sustainable transportation must balance carbon reduction with accessibility, especially for communities historically excluded from planning processes.
Innovative Approaches to Sustainable Transport
The conversation highlighted several promising approaches:
- Community-based transit solutions, including Point A’s last-mile shuttle programs that connect workplaces with transit hubs
- Youth leadership and skill development, where Gabriel emphasized the importance of climate literacy, systems thinking, and data skills
- Focus on co-benefits, with Simon recommending that climate action messaging also highlight health, efficiency, and household cost savings
These examples demonstrate how partnerships across sectors can accelerate Canada’s transition to low-carbon mobility.
Strengthening Social Equity Through Transportation
Dorinda emphasized how mobility directly influences a person’s health, job access, and overall quality of life. Investing in transit access for dense neighbourhoods, improving service frequency, and designing for accessibility rather than speed were identified as key strategies.
Simon encouraged practitioners to prioritize community engagement and storytelling to build public support for sustainable transport. Gabriel added that increasing racialized youth participation in planning and infrastructure careers can lead to more just and inclusive transport systems.
Community Challenge and Next Steps
The event concluded with a 30-day Sustainable Transport Challenge, inviting participants to adopt greener travel habits such as cycling, carpooling, or using public transit. Jennifer and Aishat also provided a brief preview of an upcoming webinar focused on community-driven climate solutions.
Internal Links
Join our NextGen Student Writer Program.
Learn more about our Climate Action Awareness Campaign.
Read our article on The Environmental Benefits of Public Transit .
Explore How Microplastics Are Infiltrating Our Bodies and What Canada Is Doing About It.
