The project was undertaken in early 2000 to develop a clearer understanding of how both developed and developing societies can most effectively address the adverse effects of increasing levels of transport activity.
Project co-chair Thomas A. Gottschalk, who is executive vice-president for law and public policy and general counsel at General Motors, said, ''This project represents a major milestone in our industries facing up to the scale of the challenge to make transport sustainable in the 21st century.''
Dr. Shoichiro Toyoda is the honorary chairman of Toyota and also a project co-chair, emphasized that ''the key to sustainable mobility on a global basis will be achieving it in the developing world. Fundamental to achieving this is the need to narrow the mobility opportunity divides that exist within countries as well as between the world's poorest countries and the developed world.''
To overcome the notion that this was a case of the developing countries telling the developing countries how they had to run their own affairs, the WCBSD went on the road in what it likes to call ''an extensive stakeholder dialogue process.''
This process began in November 2000, with and had ''dialogues convened in Tokyo, Brussels, Washington, D.C., Sao Paulo, Prague, Beijing, Cape Town and Manila.''
On top of that, Gottschalk said, ''mobility workshops'' were held in several locations, including Shanghai, Paris, Mexico City and Nagoya.
According to Gottschalk, the dialogues and workshops were ''designed to tap professional opinion around the world and to develop a clearer understanding and appreciation of the mobility challenges faced by different countries and regions.''
Gottschalk said Mobility 2030 is intended to be a catalyst. ''The challenges to sustaining mobility are significant," he said, "but they can be met over time, provided society supports constructive approaches and solutions and encourages real understanding and cooperation among stakeholders.''
Along with those seven goals, the study suggested methods of achieving them.
Goal one: ''Ensure emissions of conventional pollutants from transport do not constitute a significant health concern anywhere in the world.''
Technology could drive conventional emissions down in developing countries, the study believes. ''In the developed world, on the other hand, the focus will shift from setting standards towards making sure prescribed emission levels are met.''
The focus of attention is also likely to fall on ''high emitter" vehicles.