The policy update titled “São Paulo’s Revised PlanClima: Transport Decarbonization Updates” by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) examines the main changes introduced in the revised PlanClima SP related to transportation

PlanClima SP is the climate action plan for the city of São Paulo and the main instrument for coordinating mitigation and adaptation actions across several policy areas, including transport, land use, energy, waste, and climate risk management.

Its first version was released in 2021 and established a regular review cycle, with updates expected at least once per new municipal administration. The first revision of the plan began in 2025 and was published in 2026.

This policy update analyzes the main changes introduced in the revised PlanClima SP related to transportation, a sector that plays a central part in the city’s mitigation agenda, as it is a major source of air pollution.

Transportation sector updates

The changes related to transportation in the 2025 PlanClima SP revision fall into three main areas:

  1. Changes to fleet decarbonization targets and expansion of the scope of municipally regulated fleets;
  2. Updates to goals and measures related to public transportation, active mobility, and car use; and
  3. Revision of the city’s approach to emissions management, charging infrastructure, planning for zero-emission zones, and urban freight.

Compared with the 2021 plan, the revision expands the operational structure for São Paulo’s transport climate strategy, making it more specific about how several transport commitments are expected to move from policy objectives to implementation. At the same time, some elements of the revised framework will require careful monitoring for progress and compliance.

The study concludes that the effectiveness of PlanClima SP will also depend on clear technology definitions, consistent monitoring, and the city’s ability to maintain the pace of fleet replacement, infrastructure deployment, and modal shift required to deliver measurable emissions reductions.

Access the full policy update here