With the transportation sector responsible for approximately 23% of total global energy-related CO2 emissions, and the number of private cars set to exponentially grow in the coming decades, it is often depicted as the “problem child” within the global sustainability community. In the search for solutions on ways to accelerate the decarbonization of the transport sector, smart and shared mobility is often depicted as key. Thus, in recent years, ‘smart mobility’ has become a popular buzzword encompassing a wide array of innovative initiatives in the field of transportation, many of which carry the promise of reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Yet, while smart mobility has the potential to play a key role in climate change mitigation, evidence suggests that “smart” does not always translate to “sustainable”. Against this backdrop, the workshop set out to explore the potential of smart and shared mobility in reducing carbon emissions, as well as pathways to leverage this potential.

The workshop brought together 54 experts from Germany and Israel, including academics, policymakers, and representatives of civil society organizations to create cross-sector dialogue and exchange of insights on possible avenues to leverage the potential of smart and shared mobility to also support sustainable development.