The Regional Sustainable Transport and Air Quality (STAQ) Project has been structured as a part of the regional global environmental facility (GEF) program consisting of four operations, one at the regional level and three in the following countries: Argentina, Brazil and Mexico having a common focus in: (i) reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions growth rates through the promotion of an increase in the patronage of less energy intensive transport modes in cities; and (ii) inducing policy changes in favor of sustainable transport projects. The regional project which will deepen the knowledge base regarding climate change issues related to the transport sector, develop a framework for knowledge exchange, foster a multi-sectoral policy dialogue on climate change and transport related issues; and, analyze, compare and disseminate lessons learned from pilot investments in the 11 cities participating in the program. The regional project is divided into four operational components: (1) assessment of environmental benefits and co-benefits of transport interventions, (2) institutional strengthening, (3) policy dialogue at regional and national Level, and (4) program management and monitoring. These components will function in complementary fashion towards the achievement of each of the three main development objectives. While subcomponents 1, 2 and 3 are designed to satisfy the needs of the 11 cities directly participating in the program, their products and processes are open to all Latin American cities. Subcomponent 4 is more tightly focused on the 11 cities directly participating in the program, for it addresses project administration concerns. Annex 4 provides a more detailed description of the regional project, as well as the overall STAQ Program.
