Mobility week puts focus on urban transport–climate link

From 16 to 22 September 2006 countries all over Europe are participating in the European Mobility Week. A wide range of activities are taking place to raise awareness especially on the issue of climate change.

An early highlight was the car-free day in Europe’s capital on 17 September 2006; cars are responsible for more than 10% of climate-changing greenhouse gases in the EU. Citizens are thus being encouraged to make use of more climate-friendly alternatives such as walking cycling public transport or car-sharing.

The European Parliament’s Green group presented its new strategy paper on “soft mobility” on 15 September 2006 outlining their proposal for a comprehensive and sustainable transport policy featuring the introduction of a kerosene tax an emissions-trading schemes and a sustainable concept for “urban mobility”.