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Green Mobility: Middle East’s Steps Towards Sustainable Transportation | |
| Staff Writer |
When the world began its journey towards sustainability, the Middle East region with its petrodollars and oil revenue did not feature on anyone’s top 100 list. Today, the Middle East has set the benchmark for creating a sustainable environment. As one of the four global goals framing sustainable mobility in the Global Mobility Report (GMR), green mobility aims to reduce both air and noise pollution from transport and to address climate change in the transport sector through mitigation and adaptation. Transport currently contributes to 23 percent of global energy-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and 18 percent of all man-made emissions in the global economy.
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In one projection, energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are expected to grow by 40 percent between 2013 and 2040. Air pollution is the biggest single environmental risk to health; ambient air pollution alone kills about three million people each year. In addition, evidence from several countries suggests that traffic noise has the second biggest environmental impact on health.
Israel was one of the first countries in the MENA region and the only country in the region which has included a specific transport greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction target in its Nationally Determined Contribution. It was also one of the first countries to introduce ‘sharing bikes.’ As early as last week, Micro-mobility provider TIER has announced that it will start offering its services in Israel from June onwards. To remedy the malaise of traffic congestion a serious issue in Tel Aviv (and other Israeli cities), TIER expects a good market expansion. In the first phase, TIER will deploy its e-scooters in Israel and will consider launching its bicycles and mopeds later. And this is only one of the many initiatives currently underway in the MENA region.
Not too far behind is Dubai which has partnered with the largest international bike-sharing company, NextBike, the city has installed ten bike-sharing stations with solar-powered kiosks adjacent to metro stops, tourist areas, and the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.
Morocco is the only MENA country that has submitted an LTS (Long Term Strategy) in keeping with the Paris Agreement, featuring both short-term priorities (e.g. vehicle efficiency standards) and medium-term priorities (e.g. zero-emission vehicles) as well.
Truth is that the more borders become transparent the faster trade grows. However that comes with the caveat that the road transport must be able to cope with the continuously increasing demand of business for road transport’s high quality. Transforming cities to build more connected sustainable communities also means that there needs to be transport-oriented development, lighter trains and green city logistics.
The internal traffic arrangements are as important as the external. Abu Dhabi has been awarded the least congested city award this year and this shows the levels of commitment that the city has for it’s people and its traffic management systems.
For a sustainable smart city, the next important function is the Railway set up. Recently,
Construction on Stage Two of the UAE National Rail Network developed by Etihad Rail, is progressing well with 70 per cent of the project already completed. Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, boarded an inspection train, designated for site inspection and supervision, to review the various construction sites in Abu Dhabi.
The Avoid-Shift-Improve strategy of the Transport (ASI) measures through integrated, inter-modal, and balanced approaches critical to sustainable, low carbon transport. This approach adopted by the MENA region has made it possible for countries across the world to raise the bar.
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While it isn’t the definition of carbon-free, Electronic Vehicles have a significantly lower emission footprint, when compared with their gas counterparts. Transport is one of the sectors that greatly contribute to carbon emissions, accounting for about one-fourth of the global total. However, the costs of EVs do keep the public away
We need cars that are attractive, desirable, and affordable. And you need consumers who are keen [to shift] and willing to pay,” said Rana Nawas, a partner at New York-based consultancy Oliver Wyman, referring to the current high prices of EVs.
Using public transport and rail freight is one of the most effective actions to help reduce rising emissions from transport. Rail is key to more sustainable cities and economies in the MENA region.Under the current policy trajectory, freight transport demand is currently responsible for more than 40% of all transport CO2 emissions which will increase 2.5-fold by 2050.
In order to transform cities and connect communities one must look at transport-oriented urban development which means energy, technology and innovation must take the leading role in the race to zero carbon and the renewables revolution. The customer experience is completely dependent on customer- focused service and that means that intermodality and seamless connection: radical innovations in physical and digital connectivity with other modes for a door-to-door service. The Middle East seems to be taking strong steps to surpass expectations.