Velo-city 2018 article series featuring mini interviews on plenary speakers continue with Carlos Ruiz Garvia, plenary speaker for the plenary: Global Policy.

Carlos Ruiz-Garvia heads-up the Regional Collaboration Centres (RCCs) for Latin America and the Caribbean - a partnership between the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Latin America Development Bank (CAF) and the Windward Islands Research and Education Foundation (WINDREF). The RCCs support national climate action through capacity-building, technical assistance and strategic networking - sourcing know-how and resources to drive clean development. They were established to spread the benefits of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), which spurs investment in sustainable development by rewarding projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Since adoption of the Paris Climate Change Agreement, the RCCs have had the broader task of supporting implementation of countries' Nationally Determined Contributions under that agreement.

A quick chat with Carlos Ruiz-Garvia:

•        What does Access to Life mean to you?

It means a better choice to infrastructure, technology and climate action. Cycling inclusion is, in most situations, the best option for our environment and for quality of life.

•        What cycling lessons are you bringing to Rio?

Transport is a major contributor to overall greenhouse gas emissions. Bicycles can help reverse emissions trends, as part of efforts to scale up ambition and action. Many governments are now factoring the bicycle into their national climate action plans. As a part of a whole range of things we need to do to tackle climate change, bicycles can be a quick win, to reduce car travel. What we cannot reduce, we can offset, for example by participating in the Climate Neutral Now initiative, while supporting sustainable development projects in developing countries ((http://www.climateneutralnow.org/). I would also like to share the experience of bicycle projects under the UN's Clean Development Mechanism.

•        What are you looking forward to the most at Velo-city 2018?

I am looking forward to learn about practical solutions and ideas to be brought to Velo-City 2018, especially those that are scalable and replicable examples of what people, businesses, governments and industries are doing to tackle climate change.

•        What do you think is the added value of a global interdisciplinary approach to cycling?

Bike use continues to rise together with integrated financial flows into bike lanes and parking, safety features, and supportive policies. A global interdisciplinary approach across all sectors is key to accelerate climate action and raise ambition.

•        What will you visit by bike in Rio?

I’ve learnt that Rio has plenty of bike rental options and well-connected cycle paths that allow cyclists to avoid sharing the traffic-ridden roads. It would be fantastic to ride along the famous bikeways in the Botafogo and in the Copacabana neighbourhoods that were announced as a part of Rio’s strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The “Global Policy” plenary is scheduled for Day 4 of Velo-city 2018; Friday 15^th June 2018 at 09.00-10.00.

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