Switching Gears

The report argues that energy and mobility sectors must move from silos to synergies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It identifies 19 priority countries and 260 cities, categorizing them into four types: Efficiency Opportunists, Digital Disruptors, Electric Vehicle Leapfroggers, and Renewable Drivers. The document proposes three primary solutions: integrated energy, land-use, and mobility planning; demand-side targeting and management using digital tools; and the deployment of electric mobility (specifically buses and two-wheelers). It highlights a significant financing gap for sustainable transport in small cities and recommends cross-sector alliances and improved spatial data to attract investment.

• The report identifies 19 priority countries and 260 fast-growing small-to-medium-sized cities (population 300,000 to 1,000,000) as high-potential areas for sustainable urban mobility interventions. These are grouped into four types: 'Efficiency Opportunists' (predominantly in India), 'Digital Disruptors' (diverse global locations), 'Electric Vehicle Leapfroggers' (notably in the Philippines and Namibia), and 'Renewable Drivers' (led by Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Zambia).
• The 'Avoid/Shift/Improve' framework is proposed to unite energy and mobility. 'Avoid' focuses on integrated land-use and energy planning to reduce unnecessary travel; 'Shift' encourages moving from private cars to mass transit; and 'Improve' focuses on lowering the carbon intensity of fuels through electrification and renewables.
• Digitalization and spatial mapping (GIS) are identified as critical tools for 'Demand-side targeting and management.' These tools can identify 'spatial mismatch' where low-income households are far from jobs, and can be used to provide services (like health and education) closer to the user to reduce the need for travel.
• There is a significant financing gap for sustainable urban mobility in secondary cities. Multilateral climate finance for mobility projects has only reached cities at a rate of 11 percent. The report notes that while the total cost of ownership for EVs is often lower, high upfront costs and a lack of credit lines remain major barriers for the poor.
• The report emphasizes that sustainable mobility intersects with multiple SDGs, including health (reducing air pollution and road fatalities), education (improving access for children and teachers), and gender equality (reducing time spent on care-related trips).

APA

Sustainable Energy for All (n.d.). Switching Gears. https://www.seforall.org/system/files/2020-02/SEforALL-Switching_Gears.pdf

Chicago

Sustainable Energy for All. Switching Gears. n.d. https://www.seforall.org/system/files/2020-02/SEforALL-Switching_Gears.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Sustainable Energy for All |title=Switching Gears |url=https://www.seforall.org/system/files/2020-02/SEforALL-Switching_Gears.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{sustainableenergyforallndswitching, author = {{Sustainable Energy for All}}, title = {{Switching Gears}}, institution = {Sustainable Energy for All}, url = {https://www.seforall.org/system/files/2020-02/SEforALL-Switching_Gears.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }