Active commuting and its contributions to the sustainable development goals
1
Local Development, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A241
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading causes of disability and premature mortality across different socioeconomic contexts, being strongly associated with physical inactivity, often conditioned by structural and environmental determinants. Active commuting, when framed within the 2030 United Nations Agenda, represents a promising strategy to address these challenges. This study analyzes active commuting from a population perspective and its relationship with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), proposed by the United Nations.
METHODS:
The study was conducted in two stages. First, a comprehensive literature review was performed using databases such as PubMed, Bireme, Lilacs, SciELO, Capes Journals, and BioMed Central, with the descriptors “active commuting,” “active transport,” and “sustainable development goals”. Second, the findings were analyzed through a framework comprising three categories of scalable strategies to promote active commuting: urban transport services, active urban design, and urban tariffs.
RESULTS:
The evidence revealed significant contributions of active commuting to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Benefits include reducing physical inactivity, preventing NCDs, improving air quality, and enhancing road safety. SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) also revealed relevant connections, highlighting the potential of active commuting to foster social inclusion by expanding access to mobility and reducing environmental impacts. Research gaps persist, particularly regarding the measurement of the impacts of these strategies in different social and geographical contexts, reinforcing the need for further investigation.
CONCLUSIONS:
Promoting active commuting emerges as a strategic tool for public health and sustainability, with multisectoral benefits that go beyond the health sector. Its effectiveness depends on integrated public policies involving health, urban planning, transport, education, and the environment, recognizing active commuting as a fundamental instrument for achieving healthier populations in a more resilient planet.
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading causes of disability and premature mortality across different socioeconomic contexts, being strongly associated with physical inactivity, often conditioned by structural and environmental determinants. Active commuting, when framed within the 2030 United Nations Agenda, represents a promising strategy to address these challenges. This study analyzes active commuting from a population perspective and its relationship with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), proposed by the United Nations.
METHODS:
The study was conducted in two stages. First, a comprehensive literature review was performed using databases such as PubMed, Bireme, Lilacs, SciELO, Capes Journals, and BioMed Central, with the descriptors “active commuting,” “active transport,” and “sustainable development goals”. Second, the findings were analyzed through a framework comprising three categories of scalable strategies to promote active commuting: urban transport services, active urban design, and urban tariffs.
RESULTS:
The evidence revealed significant contributions of active commuting to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Benefits include reducing physical inactivity, preventing NCDs, improving air quality, and enhancing road safety. SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) also revealed relevant connections, highlighting the potential of active commuting to foster social inclusion by expanding access to mobility and reducing environmental impacts. Research gaps persist, particularly regarding the measurement of the impacts of these strategies in different social and geographical contexts, reinforcing the need for further investigation.
CONCLUSIONS:
Promoting active commuting emerges as a strategic tool for public health and sustainability, with multisectoral benefits that go beyond the health sector. Its effectiveness depends on integrated public policies involving health, urban planning, transport, education, and the environment, recognizing active commuting as a fundamental instrument for achieving healthier populations in a more resilient planet.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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