Sustainable Mobility: driving the future towards a greener world

Mobility is an essential aspect of modern life, and with the increase in urbanisation, it has become an increasingly pressing issue. However, it also poses significant environmental and social challenges. According to the World Bank, the transportation sector, which heavily relies on fossil fuels, is the second-largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions globally, accounting for 23% of total emissions. To meet with the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to less than 1.5°C by the end of the century, the sector needs to decarbonise rapidly and reach net zero emissions before 2050. To address these challenges, sustainable mobility has become a crucial focus for governments and organizations around the world.

Sustainable mobility refers to transportation that is environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and economically viable. It aims to reduce the negative impacts of transportation on the environment and society, while providing affordable and accessible transportation options for all.

Here are some key data points that highlight the importance of sustainable mobility:

1.       Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The transportation sector is the second-largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for approximately 23% of total emissions globally. Most of these emissions come from cars, trucks, and buses powered by fossil fuels.

2.       Pollution: The transportation sector is also an important source of pollution, especially related to PM, NOx, SOx, among others. In Europe, for example, the European Environment Agency (EEA) reports that road transport is the largest source of air pollution, contributing to around 70% of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and over 50% of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions.

3.       Oil dependence: According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, in 2019, the transportation sector consumed over 91 million barrels of oil per day in the US, representing over 60% of total oil consumption globally.

4.       Traffic congestion: Traffic congestion is a growing problem in many cities around the world. It not only leads to increased travel time and reduced productivity, but it also contributes to air pollution and increased fuel consumption.

Given these challenges, there is a growing movement towards sustainable mobility, including the promotion of public transportation, cycling, and walking, as well as the development of electric vehicles and alternative fuels.

Here are some examples of sustainable mobility initiatives that can mitigate the impact:

1.       Electric Vehicles: The electric vehicle market is growing rapidly, with global sales increasing by over 40% in 2020 (International Energy Agency, 2020). Governments are supporting the development of electric vehicles through financial incentives, such as tax credits and subsidies, and by building charging infrastructure.

2.       Public Transportation: Zero-emission public transportation systems including low-carbon hydrogen and EVs, such as buses and trains, are being expanded and upgraded to provide more efficient and accessible services. For example, the implementation of smart transit systems is improving the overall efficiency and sustainability of public transportation (World Bank, 2021).

3.       Biking and Walking: The European Commission highlighted that, bike-friendly infrastructure, such as bike lanes and bike-sharing programs, is being developed in many cities to encourage cycling and walking. This not only reduces air pollution and traffic congestion but also improves public health and provides an affordable and accessible transportation option for all. Bogota, Colombia for example, has now an approximate of 630 kilometres of cycle lanes for the use of its citizens.

In conclusion, sustainable mobility is essential for building a greener and more sustainable future. By reducing the negative impacts of transportation on the environment and society, and by providing affordable and accessible transportation options for all, sustainable mobility can drive the future towards a circular, equitable, and a net zero world.

Source: Celsia Energía, 2023

About Ambire Global

Ambire is an innovative venture founded in 2020, providing consulting and digital solutions in sustainable finance, circular economy, and environmental engineering in more than 14 countries. It is headquartered in India and Colombia and is expanding its services globally to support the transition to a fair, equitable, carbon neutral world through efficient and customised solutions.