Have you ever experienced the unpleasantness of smog-filled air on a steamy hot afternoon? Have you ever been trapped in bumper-to-bumper traffic where you must keep the engine running in case the driver in front of you moves? Or do you often have to commute a reasonable distance before accessing public transportation?
These are all realities dealt with daily in many urban cities worldwide; some have become the norm we just put up with, and others are a constant nightmare we’d give anything to eliminate. We all want to move seamlessly from one destination to the other. Ideally, we want to do it sustainably, with minimal carbon footprint, and as much ease as possible, even in less developed countries.
Practically speaking, could a policy be employed as an opportunity to resolve the worst of these economic, social, and environmental mobility challenges?
Yes,
A policy that addresses the transition to circular and eco-friendly transportation is crucial. In other words, Sustainable mobility is the tool we must utilize to arrive at an economic utopia where circular and zero-emission mobility is a possibility.
What Exactly is Sustainable Mobility?
There are two fields of thought on the definition of sustainable mobility. One argues that it is low-emission transportation with low fuel consumption, up to a percentage that our ecosystem can safely replenish. The second states it is a transportation concept of zero-emissions and total accessibility where even last-mile areas can access clean, sustainable transportation. Then, what exactly is sustainable mobility?
Its definition encompasses both ideas. It is a circular and green transportation system containing all alternative clean and green transportation options that approach zero mobility. Still, it is also a policy that ensures last-mile inclusivity and complete access, where anyone, regardless of social class or location, can take advantage of the multiple sustainable infrastructure for mobility while minimizing adverse environmental impact.
It is a system of mobility that will provide a clean and safe environment for current and future generations, help combat climate change, and protect the health and well-being of our ecosystem. It will also develop social, economic, and environmental policies that would foster the development of clean energy technologies for transportation and benefit society and our economic development for generations.
Why is Sustainable Mobility Important?
Sustainable mobility is of crucial importance because it is an economic policy that will foster the development of clean transportation technologies and stimulate low carbon footprint behavior in society, which will ultimately reduce emissions, help mitigate climate change and global warming, and increase the ease, effectiveness, and safety of mobility.
The International Energy Agency reports show that some countries, including Chile and Argentina, have announced policies that intend to ban Internal combustion engines by 2035-2040, while many countries have promised 100% zero-emission vehicle sales as early as 2030. These are clear examples of sustainable mobility policies that aim to reduce emissions and improve the health and safety of the environment.
9 Reasons Why The Transition To Sustainable Mobility Is Critical
In a world grappling with the repercussions of excessive pollution and fossil fuel transportation, the transition to sustainable mobility isn’t just a choice; it’s a necessity. This shift carries immense importance, especially in developing countries, where the detrimental effects of pollution and reliance on fossil fuels have reached alarming proportions. Here are nine reasons why the transition to sustainable mobility will be indispensable to any green and carbon emission-free economy;
1. Zero Emission mobility & Environmental Friendliness
Sustainable mobility promises a future free of carbon emissions. Electric vehicles and other eco-friendly transport options pave the way for cleaner air and a healthier planet. Once direct emissions from transportation are neutral, efforts to decarbonize the energy grid will be focused and swift.
2. Micro-mobility
Encouraging micro-mobility, cycling, and walking not only reduces the carbon footprint but also promotes physical fitness, making cities more vibrant and people healthier. Micro-mobility will also save energy as more people use their bicycles, scooters, and skateboards to commute rather than an automobile.
3. Widespread Shared Mobility
Carpooling, ride-sharing, and efficient public transportation systems help maximize the use of vehicles, decreasing the number of cars on the road and lessening traffic congestion.
4. The End of Traffic Jams
Sustainable mobility strategies aim to end the stress of traffic jams. Intelligent transportation systems, real-time data, and alternative commuting options are vital to liberating our cities from gridlock. With Fewer traffic congestions due to widespread shared mobility and a wide range of mobility options, bumper-to-bumper traffic jams, usually periods of emissions spikes, will be stamped out.
5. Promoting Autonomous Driving and Intelligent Mobility
Sustainable mobility will finally lead to self-driving cars and intelligent transportation systems, reducing the margin for human error and making road travel safer and more efficient. Intelligent traffic systems and commuting tracking will decrease the time to commute and keep transit periods between traffic lights to a minimum.
6. Electromobility
Electric vehicles are more than a trend; they’re the future. Electromobility is integral to sustainable mobility, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and curbing pollution. With increased electromobility, more buses and electric vehicles can pick up passengers at their preferred locations inside malls and at doorsteps, covering even last-mile areas.
7. Diversity of Accessible Public Transport
Various accessible public transport options ensure that everyone can participate in sustainable mobility, regardless of age, ability, or location. Accessible public transport makes sustainable mobility a just and circular policy that caters to everyone in this generation and future generations.
8. Increased Safety
Cleaner air, safer roads, reduced congestion, improved infrastructure, and advanced technology make transportation less risky and accident-prone. If we assume 50% of road accidents are due to human errors, the margin with autonomous driving and intelligent traffic systems will decrease significantly, benefiting lives saved.
9. Reduction of Pollutants
The transition to sustainable mobility tackles two major pollutants – air and noise. Quieter, cleaner vehicles create more pleasant urban environments and contribute to better public health.
Sustainable Mobility: Challenges Developing Countries Grapple With
Use Green Energy
The most significant challenge of any green transport vehicle is the electricity or energy used in its production and lifecycle. In the case of the battery pack of an EV, It takes about 300 kWh to produce a lithium-ion battery that delivers 1kwh of energy, so for zero footprints, you need to cycle the battery for at least 300 cycles, and that’s assuming the power used in recharging is green.
Change Pubic Behavior
sustainable mobility will stimulate clean transport and make public transportation attractive, but this assumes that such policies are attractive enough to change general behavior on a large scale. These will require introducing reforms that encourage public transport instead of private transport and cars that lead to congestion and pollution, bans that prohibit ICE engines and their manufacture, and rewards in the form of credit and tax cuts to ensure new behavior sticks.
Optimize Transportation Routes
Significant resources directed to the growth of sustainable mobility will ensure new roads, routes, walkways for pedestrians, cycling lanes, railway lines, and subways are accounted for objectively. This hurdle is usually the biggest challenge for developing countries yet to fully transition to renewable technologies, even with low carbon emissions.
Provide a Range of Mobility Options.
To make sustainable mobility attractive enough that the use of cheap and reliable private vehicles with significant emissions, governments, institutions, and companies will need to provide a complete range of mobility options, which will likely include EVs, electric trains, bikes, busses, scooters, and autonomous vehicles.
The Future of Sustainable Mobility
The promise of a future with sustainable mobility exceeds seamless transport, with reduced traffic, clear skies, and minimal commute. We get a greener and more sustainable future that safeguards our planet and ensures a better quality of life for generations.
Our society gets a shot at mitigating climate change and global warming, a shot at zero emissions and a wide range of accessible transportation, a shot at increasing the ease of mobility and movement, A shot at economic, social, and environmental growth and sustainable public behavior—a shot at turning the tide in developing nations and addressing challenges that will aid global decarbonization.
What can you do as an individual, company, or policymaker to ensure sustainable mobility? Envoleap can help you connect the dots—sustainable mobility is at the core of all our solutions. Book a consultation today with us to get clear on your next steps.