What does being so dependent on cars mean, and what can we do about it?
Recent updates
A ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by the EU was being vetoed by Germany one of the biggest automotive industries in the world. A deal was struck allowing the sale of eFuel cars past the intended 2035 ban.
eFuels are produced using renewable energy or carbon capture and would work with existing combustion engines. However, the CEO of Audi Markus Duesmann told Der Spiegel that synthetic fuel “will not play an important role in the medium-term future of passenger cars.”
The United Kingdom have previously announced their own ban on sale of new fossil fuel cars by 2030. A ban on sale of new hybrid cars will follow in 2035. Wales, in what is considered a world first, has scrapped all major road projects it had planned to combat emissions, an example other countries may soon follow.
The Republic of Ireland has been forced to adopt a 2035 deadline on a ban due to EU competition rules superseding the 2030 deadline previously adopted. However, Minister for the Environment and Transport Eamon Ryan has said that they are still “on track” toward the 2030 goal.
Sources: EuroNews, eFuel Alliance, EVO, UK Government, Time, Irish Times
Why is this important?
Transport makes up a significant portion of total emissions worldwide – 30% globally. On the island of Ireland, 16.2% of greenhouse gas emissions in Northern Ireland (2020) and 17.7% in the Republic (2021) respectively are transport related.
Volumes were impacted by Covid restrictions, and significantly higher in other years. This also is not taking into account significant pollutants such as particulate matter, ie. PM2.5, which can have serious health impacts over the long term.
Sources: Our World in Data, DAERA, EPA, UK Government
Alternatives
Some argue that we need to move away from personal vehicles and instead adopt greater use of public transport, bicycles, and adopting the 15 minute city.
The reliance and continued use of internal combustion engine transport has been at the expense of the adoption of these more sustainable alternatives.
The 15 minute city is “an ideal geography where most human needs and many desires are located within a travel distance of 15 minutes.”
Congress for the New Urbanism
Greater use of public transportation and bicycles can reduce carbon emissions, congestion, and pollution in general in cities but also allow consideration of the pedestrianisation and “15 minute city” transformation of urban areas.
Sources: Congress for the New Urbanism, Lior Stienberg, Jonathan Berk
On a neutral note…
We need a combination of solutions, which is often the case with climate change and its related drivers.
Some of these include:
- 15 minute cities
- electrification and/or green hydrogen powered transportation
- reduction in major infrastructure projects particularly road networks
- improvement in availability and quality of public transport
- increased pedestrianisation and bicycle infrastructure
- smart city development
What do you think?
Would you be willing to use public transport more?
Would you live in a 15 minute city?
Do you have a personal vehicle and, if so, can you imagine being without it?