EcoMobility Alliance
ICLEI and Changwon City have launched the EcoMobility Alliance, a select group of ambitious cities that have achieved excellent results in certain dimensions of sustainable mobility, and that strive to reach similar results in other EcoMobility fields. We welcome applications from cities worldwide that are eager to take on the challenge of EcoMobility excellence.
Options >>
|
What is EcoMobility?
- Pedestrians waiting to cross the street in St. Helena, California. Photo: www.pedbikeimages.org / Dan Burden
The word 'EcoMobility' is the combination of two words, 'eco' and 'mobility'. It refers to environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive way of local mobility, combining the use of non-motorized means of transport such as walking, cycling and wheeling with the use of public transport and light electric vehicles, provided electric power stems from renewable energy sources. EcoMobility allows people to move in their local environments without utilizing privately owned motor vehicles, and goods to be distributed with city-scale vehicles without combustion engines.
EcoMobility does not represent a new mode of transportation nor it is only a collective word to indicate heterogeneous transport. Rather, EcoMobility indicates a new approach to mobility and transport that acknowledges the importance of public and non-motorized transport. Combined, these modes of transport work together in making everyday transfers of people and goods easier and environmentally sustainable.
A variety of transportation modes
- Commuters taking the underground in Cairo, Egypt. Photo: Didier Gentilhomme
In achieving EcoMobility, a variety of transportation options might be employed. Examples include walking (the most natural and sustainable way of moving), but also using the bicycle, tricycle, velomobile, wheelchair, mobility scooter, scooter, skate, push scooter... Many other devices can help citizens in adopting a more EcoMobile behavior, such as walking aids, trailers, hand carts, shopping carts, trolleys, or carrying aids.
Another type of transportation options still to be considered EcoMobile is the use of public transport, here referred to as “passenging". This includes the use of buses, trams, subways, light rail, trains, ferries, collective taxis or even normal taxis, if low-emission.
Novel approaches that, again, might support EcoMobility are underway. There are a number of very successful car sharing schemes that, by allowing citizens to easily use a car when it is indispensable, actually diminish the need of owning a car and therefore its daily use.
Another area of active development is that of electrical mobility. While "green congestion" is certainly not something desirable, EcoMobility recognizes that small electric cars and electrical powered transporters - power by renewable sources of energy - will have a role to play in a sustainable mobility system.
Global Alliance for EcoMobility - Alliance reform
- Launch of the Global Alliance for EcoMobility in Bali, 2007
The Global Alliance for EcoMobility was founded and launched by a group of leading global organizations on the occasion of the Climate Change Conference in Bali, in December 2007.
The Alliance is currently under a process of renovation. Its improved structure will take advantage of existing expertize in cities and help them in becoming more EcoMobile through the support and advice from a Secretariat and a group of Partners.
Featured Document
Description document
The report examines the role of transport in a green economy and makes a case for ensuring future investment in the sector is increasingly green. It highlights a strategy of avoiding or reducing trips, shifting to more environmentally-friendly modes of transport and improving the efficiency of all modes of transport. It explores the challenges and opportunities posed by shifting to a greener transport system, and examines the various options to enable investments for the development of sustainable transport. The analysis encompasses all modes of freight and passenger transport, with an emphasis on land transport, and it takes into account the varying circumstances of developed and developing countries, regional differences, and rural-urban disparities.
