Learning and Applying the Paris Agreement to Public Transport
Project Turntable– Learning and Applying the Paris Agreement to Public Transport was a joint research project between EU Business School and the International Association of Public Transport (UITP). The aim of this project was to research and develop public transport possibilities in support of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. The Paris Agreement, now in force, is an agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) dealing with greenhouse gases emissions mitigation, adaptation and finance starting in the year 2020. The agreement provides a framework for each member country to propose and implement a set of Nationally Determined Contributions summarizing their contribution. More than 70 countries have cited public transport initiatives as part of their NDCs.
The envisioned 6-month research program was held between January-June 2018 and resulted in the submission of specific plans that will assist the UITP members in approaching national and local governments to develop bus, ferry, light or heavy rail systems. The program focused on the development of skills in: data collection, analysis, presentation, marketing plans and documentation. The research program included ongoing contact with international public transport experts from operators, authorities and manufacturers. The outcome of this project was concluded with a presentation to senior UITP management.
Thirteen students from EU Business School (both Germany and Swiss Campuses), were selected to participate in this joint project. The selected students were:
- Kateryna Gusyeva
- Amir Baroud
- Rafael Olea Mantilla
- Mazin Khan
- Lea Katunaric
- Zoya Shabeeb
- Nihar Bindu Patra
- I-Han Liu
- Vidhi Shah
- Kiran Tulajiram Jadhav
- Enea Jazexhiu
- Anant Goswami
- Jia Le See
Dr. Glenn Frommer, Honorary Chair, Sustainable Development Commission, was in charge of directing and overseeing the project, as well as guiding the students in their research. He was assisted by Dr. Suddha Chakravartti, Head of Research, EU Business School, in coordinating the research activities. The project was divided into six main phases. Each phase is described below.
Phase 1 – Background and Data Collection
Students were asked to familiarize themselves with the relevant Agreements, documents and organizational issues:
- Paris Agreement
- Importance and use of the Nationally Determine Contribution (NDCs)
- UITP Organization and its advocacy and outreach, in particular the scope of the Divisions (Africa, Asia Pacific-Australia-New Zealand, Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, Middle East and North Africa, North America), fields of activity (Authorities, Industry, Bus, Light Rail, Metro, Regional Transport, Regional and Suburban Rail), projects, programme and knowledge management.
Phase 1 commenced with a briefing by Glenn Frommer in early January 2018.
Phase 2 – Initial Analysis
The initial analysis discovered which countries’ NDCs include offerings of public transport, and the type of offerings envisioned. In particular, the analysis concluded with a one-page summary for each country concluding the following.
- Country
- Percentage of NDC committed to public transport
- The type and extent of public transport envisioned (new, existing, conceptual, type of propulsion etc.)
- In which cities or between which cities does the country envision its public transport initiative?
- Which segments are envisioned?
- Institutional capacity
- Financial / funding capability
- Correlation between the initiative and the relevant UITP Division / Field of Activity
The precise template for the one-page summary was proposed by the students and endorsed by the UITP Turntable Coordinating Committee prior to commencing analysis.
Phase 3 – Presentation of initial findings to UITP
An interim report was prepared including:
- Summaries by geographies and segments;
- A world / country map showing the envisioned NDCs / transport initiatives shall be developed; and
- Suggested prioritization for marketing of public transport initiatives through the UITP.
The interim report was developed in cooperation with the UITP Coordinator.
A set of comments / suggestions could be provided by the UITP for response by the students and inclusion into the Final Report.
Phase 3 concluded with the UITP endorsing a prioritization of markets for public transport initiatives.
Phase 4 – Marketing Plans
In Phase 4, detailed marketing plans were developed for the prioritized countries. The plans considered the envisioned UITP involvement, resources and benefits, timing, impact, segmentation of offerings, cities, institutional and financial capabilities.
The marketing plans would evolve in close cooperation with the UITP Turntable Coordinating Committee.
A collaborative workshop session between students and selected UITP professionals was held to kick off Phase 4.
Phase 5 – Final presentation to the UITP
A practice session of the presentation was held prior to the final initiative. Glenn Frommer was present to provide comments and guidance.
Phase 5 concluded with a presentation of the marketing plans to the UITP.
Phase 6 – Closure and Final Report
Phase 6 concluded with full documentation of the project development for Phases 4 and 5. This includes a full set of materials, references and presentations.
With the conclusion of Phase 6, the Final Report on the Turntable Project was submitted by Dr. Glenn Frommer. Furthermore, the main lessons learned and country-specific recommendations outlined under the project were submitted as inputs to the 2018 Talanoa Dialogues (UNFCCC). Both documents can be downloaded here: