The 19th European Mobility Week – Zero-emission mobility for all!

Climate-neutral Europe by 2050

As part of the European Green Deal, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen presented an ambitious objective of making Europe climate-neutral by 2050. Although the number of cars is declining in numerous city centres, the use of cars in general is on the rise, along with transport emissions.

The 2020 European Mobility Week thus encourages individuals and local authorities to strive towards realising the long-term aim of making Europe climate-neutral.

Mobility Week in Slovenia

The number of personal vehicles is noticeably growing in Slovenia as well, as are greenhouse emissions. Nevertheless, sustainable mobility is evolving. Local communities have recognised their role in these efforts and have actively engaged in raising locals’ awareness about traffic’s negative environmental impacts.

This year, as many as 78 Slovenian municipalities are involved in the campaign.

Once again, the European Mobility Week encourages us to think about our mobility-related habits under this year’s slogan: Zero-emission mobility for all! Schools, public and private companies, societies and other non-governmental organisations are invited to participate in addition to municipalities. This creates a community of activists that can share experience, ideas and advice.

Municipalities

All urban municipalities in Slovenia are participating in the European Mobility Week project. The Municipality of Ljubljana is exemplary in this respect, as it has been participating in the project since its very beginnings. As our capital’s traffic is undoubtedly the most congested, its continued annual improvements for cyclists are highly encouraging. In the week from 16 to 22 September, the municipality is promoting sustainable mobility through a variety of events and activities.

On 22 September, which is Car-Free Day, certain roads in the centre of Ljubljana are symbolically closed off in order to promote alternative modes of mobility.

The municipality also collaborates with kindergartens and primary schools, raising awareness and promoting sustainable mobility.

According to the rather alarming data, only 25% of Slovenian pupils come to school on foot or by bicycle, as most of them arrive by car. A mere 15 years ago, as many as 75% of pupils walked or cycled to school. The educational White Bunny (Beli zajček) and Let’s Walk with Rosie the Hen (Kokoška Rozi) projects for sustainable mobility at Slovenian kindergartens and primary schools encourage children and their parents to leave their car at home.

Best practices

Several examples of best practices can be found in Slovenia. One such example involves connecting new neighbourhoods with public transport, thus making several routes possible without a car. Another is the rising use of electric cars, which seem to be the best alternative. Smart charging would make it possible for vehicles to take surplus electricity from the grid and return it when there is a deficit.

During the coronavirus pandemic, when public transport ground to a complete halt for a while, the use of bicycles, kick scooters and other alternative mobility sources increased drastically. This was an ideal opportunity to think differently about mobility.

What can each of us do to contribute to Europe’s climate neutrality? If at all possible, avoid travelling by air. Choose public land transport instead. Make as few trips by car as possible.

Walk, cycle or use public transport.

If using a car cannot be avoided, share the ride with others and do not drive aggressively.

“Changing the population’s habits towards sustainable mobility is a long-term step towards cleaner and safer environment,” said Polona Demšar Mitrovič, national coordinator of ETM at the Ministry of Infrastructure, who concluded her thought with a lovely sentiment: “ETM is a celebration, during which as few cars as possible should be on our streets and roads, and a time when we chose a cleaner way to travel. We look forward to learning over the course of this week about numerous municipalities’ efforts to improve conditions for walking, cycling and using public transport, as well as holding round tables, workshops and lectures on sustainable mobility.”