From 25-27 September, government delegates will meet in New York to hash out the Sustainable Development Goals. Those goals cover economic, social, and environmental fields. From 30 November to 11 December, another set of government delegates will meet, this time in Paris, to discuss the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Now, it might seem reasonable to have some people specialize in sustainable development while others focus on averting the worst aspects of climate change. It might also make sense to notice that the two are inextricably linked—no development without a liveable planet, little chance of averting climate change without addressing enormous economic inequality and injustice. When we separate the issues, we fail to notice the linkages, including unaffordable subsidies to fossil fuels, cars, and road building, and failure to create a transport system that works for the poor and the environment.

If we considered climate change while discussing the SDGs, we would understand the need to include walking and cycling as an indicator in Goal 11 (“Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.”) Currently, Target 11.2 (“provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons”), only specifies public transport. We need to add walking and cycling specifically to the target/indicators, and we need to remind ourselves, and our governments, of the need to address both economic inequality and climate change, together.