COP31 – UNFCCC | Antalya, Türkiye | 9–20 November 2026
From Solutions & Results: Scaling Up Implementation of Low-Carbon and Resilient Mobility
📅 Date and time: 11 November, 17:45–18:45
📍 Mediterranean Pavilion, COP31 – UNFCCC | Antalya, Türkiye
1. Objectives: Rail and public transport in climate action
Achieving global climate goals requires rapid reductions in transport emissions, alongside greater resilience to climate impacts. Rail, public transport, walking and cycling are central to this transition. They can reduce dependence on private fossil-fuel vehicles, improve energy and resource efficiency, expand access to jobs and essential services, while delivering significant emission reductions and improve public health, social equity and economic benefits. Building on integrated sustainable urban mobility planning and effective governance, these modes should be more systematically integrated into national climate commitments, investment priorities, climate finance and implementation plans.
2. Why This Matters
- Mode shift can accelerate emission reductions. The Avoid–Shift–Improve approach combines reducing unnecessary or avoidable polluting journeys, shifting trips to rail, high-quality public transport and active mobility, and improving vehicle and system efficiency. The Plan to Accelerate Solutions (PAS) on urban mobility under the Global Climate Action Agenda focuses on scaling up public transport and sustainable transport in cities, which can translate this approach into concrete Mediterranean priorities, partnerships, measurable milestones and investment-ready projects.
- Electrification can amplify climate benefits. Electrifying rail, metro, tram and bus networks can contribute to COP31’s ambition to increase electricity’s share of global final energy demand to 35% by 2035. To maximise climate benefits, electrification should go hand in hand with renewable electricity, public transport expansion and a shift towards more sustainable modes.
- Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) need to translate ambition into action. NDCs and NAPs provide complementary frameworks for integrating transport mitigation and adaptation into national climate strategies. Clear, measurable transport targets and stronger implementation mechanisms can help scale up investment in rail and public transport, accelerate the delivery of sustainable mobility policies and projects, and strengthen the resilience of transport systems to climate risks.
- Climate finance and international carbon markets can help mobilise investment. A key priority is to bridge the gap between policy commitments and bankable, implementation-ready projects in rail and public transport. Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement could provide an additional source of finance for eligible transport activities that demonstrate real, measurable and additional emission reductions. It can help reduce investment risks and improve the bankability of rail and public transport.
- The second Global Stocktake (GST-2) can strengthen transport action. The GST-2, which begins at COP31 and is expected to conclude at COP33, will assess collective progress towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and help inform future NDCs. The event can contribute practical, transport-specific recommendations ahead of the GST2 outcome.
3. Discussion Focus
- Avoid–Shift–Improve and PAS Solutions. How can Mediterranean cities scale up integrated, accessible, low-carbon sustainable mobility solutions? What role can international transport goals, policy commitments, PAS and international cooperation play in accelerating implementation?
- NDCs and NAPs. How can countries establish measurable transport targets, strengthen implementation and synergies between NAPs and NDC?
- Climate finance and Article 6.4. How could activities under Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement help mobilise additional, high-integrity climate finance for rail and public transport?
- The GST-2. What recommendations on transport should inform the GST-2 process and to support stronger ambition?
4. Event Format and Show Flow
- Welcome and Opening Remarks (UfM). Set the scene by outlining the Mediterranean region’s priorities for low-carbon, climate-resilient and inclusive mobility, and highlighting the strategic role of rail, public transport and active mobility in achieving climate objectives.
- Interactive Dialogue: From Solutions and Results to Scaled-Up Implementation. Explore how to move from commitments to delivery, focusing on electrification, the Avoid–Shift–Improve approach, PAS, climate resilience, NDCs and NAPs, and innovative climate financing.
- Interactive Exchange. Invite perspectives and practical insights from Mediterranean country focal points, with a focus on implementation barriers, investment opportunities and regional cooperation.
- Closing Remarks. Summarise key messages and recommendations for GST-2.
5. Outline Agenda
Time Session / Discussion Focus
5 min Welcome & Opening Remarks – UfM Secretariat
35 min Interactive Dialogue with UITP, Alstom and UIC
– COP Action Agenda and electrification
– Avoid Shift Improve and Plans to Accelerate Solutions
– Resilience and urban mobility
– NDCs and NAPs, climate finance.
15 min Interactive exchange and Q&A – including Mediterranean country FPs
– reaction and perspectives from Turkish Railways (TCDD)
5 min Closing remarks – key messages and recommendations for GST-2
