Over 60% of the population of the European Union, lives in urban areas. With the growth in population, the living environment in cities and urban transportation have become real challenges. Throughout Europe, increased traffic in towns has resulted in chronic congestion, with the many adverse consequences that this entails in terms of delays and pollution.

 

According to the Green Paper on Urban Mobility, urban traffic is responsible for 40% of CO2 emissions while 70% of emissions of other pollutants come from road transport. But if EU transport emissions are increasing rapidly, lots of mobility solutions exist without damaging the climate. If organised in an appropriate way, sustainable urban mobility can turn challenges into new opportunities and foster energy efficiency, improve air quality and urban space and help climate change mitigation.

 

Transport accounts for 40% of the European Parliament’s carbon footprint. The Parliament, which is a major actor on the world scene in fighting against climate change, has decided to put commitments in practice and reduce its transport footprint by 10% by 2020. With appropriate mobility management tools and with the help of the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme EMAS,  several decisions have been taken and most of them are already bearing fruit.

 

One of these decisions has finally been implemented and today - after almost 10 years of intensive lobbying by the Greens/ EFA group - the first `take-off meeting was hold in EP on 18-19 October 2001 - the `Mobility point` has finally been inaugurated. This special desk, situated opposite the main entrance of the ASP building, will promote and provide information on the most sustainable means of transport in Brussels and its surroundings.

 

While most of this information is currently only focusing on visitors, Parliament staff and its Members, the Greens hope that the initiative will catch the attention of decision makers. More than ever before, it is necessary for people to start thinking about mobility in a different, more climate friendly way and to understand the benefit of using other available transport means rather than their own car.

 

Making the choice to either walk, cycle or use public transport or combine them is not only a decision that will be good for the climate but also for safety, consuming less oil, health benefits and... for saving precious time instead of being stuck for hours in one’s car on one’s own in a traffic jam!

 

So, whether you are in Brussels - the most congested city in Europe- somewhere else in the EU or beyond, `play your part` and chose the most sustainable means of transport!