World Car-Free Day is annually observed in cities across the globe on 22nd September to encourage motorists to give up their cars for a day. The day also highlights the benefits of going car-free such as reduced air pollution and promotes walking and cycling in a safer environment.
Significance:
i.The main goals of observing WCD are to:
- Reduce air pollution and carbon emissions;
- Promote alternative transportation methods;
- Encourage physical activity; and
- Foster community engagement.
ii.According to the World Car-Free Network (WCN), World Car-Free Day showcases how cities develop without cars all year round.
iii.From 16-22 September, European cities annually showcase their efforts towards clean urban mobility with European Mobility Week, further supporting sustainable transport.
History of World Car-Free Day:
i.The idea of reducing car use and promoting efficient transportation began during the 1973 oil crisis but gained momentum after the international conference “Accessible Cities” in 1994, in Toledo, Spain.
ii.Reykjavik, Iceland; La Rochelle, France; and Bath, the United Kingdom (UK) were the first cities to organise World Car-Free Day.
- Then the informal World Car Free Days Consortium was initiated in 1995 to support Car-Free Days worldwide.
iii.The first national car-free campaign was inaugurated in Britain by the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) in 1997.
iv.An international Car-Free Day was organised in Europe in 1999, which was the pilot project for the European Union’s (EU) “In Town Without My Car” campaign.
- This campaign continues as the annual European Mobility Week from 16-22 September.
v.In 2000, Car Busters (the precursor to World Carfree Network (WCN)) called for a “World Car-Free Day,” to coincide with Europe’s Carfree Day on September 22.
Points to Note:
i.The date, September 22, was chosen to coincide with the EU-sponsored European Mobility Week.
ii.The 2024 theme of the European Mobility Week is ‘Shared Public Space’.
Purpose of World Car-Free Day:
i.Transport, especially cars are the fastest-growing source of fossil-fuel Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and the largest contributor to climate change.
ii.Vehicle emissions are one of the main sources of outdoor air pollution, particularly in cities.
iii.Air pollutant emitted by motor vehicle exhausts include: Carbon monoxide (CO); Nitrogen oxides (NOx); Particulate Matter (PM); and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC).
iv.Motor vehicle exhausts also produce Greenhouse Gases (GHG) that contribute to climate change.
v.Traffic congestion can cause cars to consume more fuel and contribute to other environmental issues.
Key Facts:
i.Transportation accounts for roughly 15% of the world’s annual emissions.
ii.Vehicle exhaust releases harmful pollutants like PM2.5, linked to millions of deaths, particularly in urban areas.
iii.Internal combustion engines pump out 3.5 Billion Metric Tons (BMT) of CO₂ annually, accounting for half of global transportation CO₂ emissions.
- It also represents around 10% of total global fossil CO₂ emissions.
iv.Cities like London, UK have successfully implemented Low Emission Zones (LEZs), reducing pollution and improving air quality.
