Sustainable transport

Traffic has a significant impact on the environment and poses a threat to human health. At the same time, mobility is also a key requirement for the economic and social development of modern industrial and service societies. The fundamental goal of a modern transport and environmental policy must therefore be to make the socially necessary mobility as environmentally friendly as possible.

The challenge between the very high economic and social importance of transport on the one hand and the sometimes-considerable environmental impact on the other has been taken very seriously by transport and environmental policy for decades. A large number of laws and regulations at European and national level have resulted in the vehicle's emissions of pollutants becoming ever lower. Regarding the specific CO2 emissions of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, EU regulations have also ensured that these continue to fall. Tax incentives for low-carbon vehicles at national level have also further supported these developments. However, an active transport and environmental policy must be measured not only by what it has achieved, but also by what still needs to be done.

The transport environment network

The environmental network made up of public transport, bicycle and pedestrian traffic forms the backbone of sustainable mobility. In addition, there are a number of new, not least shared, mobility services, for example car and bike sharing. Together, these options offer the opportunity to be more flexible and environmentally friendly than before. Instead of "my car for all purposes" it says: With the smartphone as a key or ticket and of course with your own bike and on foot for more freedom and quality of life.

Nevertheless, motorized road traffic cannot always be replaced, not least when it comes to the transport of goods. That is why it is important to make the vehicles necessary for this as clean as possible and to use renewable energy sources as "fuel". In many cases, electricity is the best solution, for example as an electric car, but also as an e-bus or e-transporter or cargo bike. And of course, the rail plays an important role.

Digitization also offers opportunities for more environmentally friendly transport. This is because intelligent traffic systems and improved traffic information can, for example, improve the flow of traffic and shorten or avoid routes (e.g. traffic looking for a parking space). Digitization can also mean that the existing infrastructure is better used, modes of transport can be better networked, new business models emerge (mobility via smartphone) and time gains can be realized. Efficiency gains - regardless of whether in the form of saved money or time gained - usually lead to so-called rebound effects, i.e. to increase in demand. From an environmental perspective, this creates eco-friendly competition in the industry.

In addition to land transport, shipping is also an indispensable part of the transport system and - in terms of the transport unit - the most energy-efficient mode of transport. At the same time, it acts in the field of tension between economic necessities and ecological protection requirements. For the most efficient and sustainable shipping possible, these two poles must be reconciled. Emissions from ocean-going ships will continue to increase in importance, particularly due to the increase in shipping traffic. For this reason, appropriate measures are supported in order to achieve improvements on the emissions side of ships both with fuels and with other operational and technical measures such as exhaust gas aftertreatment and environmentally friendly design.

Whether its on a micro or a macro level, transport is a necessity. Considering the importance of mobility, it is important that we understand the positive effects of environmentally friendly transport systems. This would ensure that our industrialization goes hand in hand with sustainability which should always be the desired outcome.