Sustainable and inclusive low-carbon transport scenarios for Surat city, India

Abstract

The study examines the delivery of climate change mitigation and sustainable development goals (SDG) in Surat’s passenger transport sector. The SDGs selected are 1-no poverty, 3-health and well-being, 5-gender equality, 8-economic growth, 11-sustainable cities, and 13-climate action. Over and above the Base Scenario, the three scenarios presented are: Scenario I involves recalibrating Surat’s available Comprehensive Mobility Plan, Scenario II-a Deep Decarbonization Scenario, aligning with the global 1.5 °C temperature stabilization target via technology, and Scenario III-an SDG-adjusted Deep Decarbonization Scenario addressing social transformations applying assumptions derived from the primary survey in the city on Scenario II. Scenario II has the lowest motorized vehicle kilometers traveled (VKT) and, thus, the lowest GHG emissions. Scenario III has a higher motorized VKT and thus the emissions than Scenario II. Nonetheless, GHG emissions improve in Scenario III by 84.3% compared to Scenario I and push forward the SDGs.