In Spain this is not very different from what they are doing in other countries on the European continent. And it is that the current habits of urban mobility are characterized by a continuous urban expansion and a increasing dependence on the car. Hence this process was born in order to reduce the negative impacts associated with increasing urban mobility and promote more ecological modes of transport. Enable resources, implement measures and change trends.
What does it consist of
But, let us start at the beginning. In our country, the transport activity is the one that generates a higher volume of emissions. During the last 15 years this sector has only reduced its emissions by 8%, while the other two major emitting sectors – electricity generation and industry.
For this reason, and with increasing determination and serious proposals in this regard, new ways have been produced to establish this reduction in emissions. This is understood, in good way, with important technical solutions for decarbonisation, thus achieving national emission reduction targets.
So, what does this decarbonization of mobility consist of or what is it based on? As such, it is the set of processes and actions aimed at achieving the rational use of means of transport, both by individuals and professionals. The ultimate goal is reduce the number of vehicles that circulate daily, generate pollution and, furthermore, significantly reduce the planet’s fossil reserves.
Everything so that we are able to move around generating a minimal environmental impact. Towards this end, it must become a priority for governments and citizens, since it is up to everyone to work for the benefit of the environment. And there, of course, the role of the automotive industry is key, with more and more different alternatives to gasoline and diesel fossil fuels: electric, hybrids, liquefied petroleum gas, natural, hydrogen …
The role of the automotive industry
This effort to decarbonize mobility is presented as a structural change that, in turn, will provide economic opportunities. In this new decade, the European and Spanish plans prioritize incorporating the electricity generation to two large sectors: energy efficiency, especially buildings, and the decarbonization of transport, especially land. And here the automotive industry becomes the protagonist.
This was seen through the agreement reached by the European countries in the so-called 2015 Paris Agreement. Then, they reached a historic agreement to combat climate change and accelerate and intensify the actions and investments necessary for a sustainable low-carbon future.
In this sense, achieving the objective of this agreement involves having a fossil fuel free transportation in most of the planet, no later than 2050. The challenge is enormous considering that there are more than 1.2 billion cars, motorcycles and vans that use petroleum derivatives to function.
Challenges to meet
Yes, it is true that more and more cars that work with electrical systems are more, and that currently they are the ones that are most sought after by users, but it is still insufficient. That is why today there are three challenges to speed up the process of decarbonization of mobility, which fall within the measures and solutions that are already carried out by the different cities.
- Park renovation motoring. This is a key factor, an essential measure to reduce pollution. The move towards cleaner mobility must have implications at all levels. State aid plans for the purchase of sustainable vehicles are a fundamental step. Lowering the average age of vehicles is part of the approach, with Spain being one of the oldest (13.1).
- Elimination of combustion engines. With dates set to 2035, the automotive sector is fully involved in leaving behind the old combustion engines so that in that time their total elimination can be completed. A challenge that, obviously, must be accompanied by a viable and efficient charging network. Renewable energies will be essential in this objective.
- Reuse of components. Almost in parallel with the elimination of combustion engines, the recycling and reuse of components is key to achieving the ambitious environmental plans. The automotive industry has a long history of recycling, remanufacturing and reusing components. The circular economy already makes it possible to recover up to 95% of the parts of a car, reusing them in industry or using them for other purposes.
These challenges are not easy, nor is it enough to want to overcome them for it to be achieved. A structural change It is a very attractive but very complex idea. And so the first thing a society working together has to remember is that common problems and opportunities demand common responsibilities. In this case, companies have to do their job; citizens, assume their part of commitment and, finally, administrations have to facilitate the means.
Measurements and solutions
It is true that not all pollution is borne by transport (currently 40% responsibility figures are handled) in large cities, but it is what more chances of self-management. This, in turn, implies a commitment on the part of the administrations.
A framework in favor of the decarbonisation of mobility that includes different proposals for measures and solutions in order for this to be carried out. Thus, this encompasses what is the sustainable urban mobility policy, which aims to guarantee a long-term balance between mobility needs and the environment.
In recent years, national and regional governments have applied different measures to try to curb the effects of pollution and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, caused by automobile engines and industry. Changes that have already begun to be a reality in Madrid or Barcelona, where the use of sustainable vehicles and means of transport begins to proliferate among users.
Turning clean energies into protagonists
This is probably one of the measures that are working best in Spain and in the different countries of Europe. It is none other than making clean energies the protagonists of the improvement of air quality. And it is that, air pollution in urban centers has become one of the priorities of the sustainable mobility plans of municipalities due to the serious consequences it can have on people’s health.
For this reason, the use of clean energies such as autogas (LPG or CNG) or biopropane, are alternatives that can achieve great environmental results. So much so that it has been shown that, in addition to what may be battery-powered cars, vehicles powered by autogas engines reduce emissions by up to 90% pollutants. In addition, its price is between 40 and 50% lower than that of conventional fuels.
Action plan aimed at improving public transport infrastructures
Together with the solutions already proposed by the cities, there is what is the action plan aimed at improving public transport infrastructures. It goes into the use of non-polluting vehicles. A measure that is being carried out in some Spanish cities such as Madrid, Barcelona or Valencia, where modernizing and extending the rail network is fundamental.
To this measure is added the importance of improving commuter trains in the interurban area and the use of the metro (in those cities where it is possible due to its distribution and size) as the first option for citizens to travel for work reasons in the so-called rush hours.
This, fully entering into the strategy of decarbonizing sustainable urban mobility, emphasizes the need to discourage the use of private cars in favor of other non-polluting methods, especially non-motorized ones. However, it is essential to take advantage of all the facilities that are already available and apply sustainable systems that depend on the aforementioned clean energies.
Of course; If we already bet on other non-polluting methods, we also have to do it in the possible direction in favor of shared mobility. This has been done on the basis that the use of private vehicles has been regulated in different cities in a restrictive way, even limiting their access to certain areas.
This is aimed at reducing traffic and reducing air and noise pollution. All while improving the quality of life in urban centers. For this reason, it is important to promote a rational use of private vehicles, as well as to bet on the use of their shared counterparts.
There are studies that estimate that 40% of traffic located in the center of a city is due to the search for parking. When you share a car with other people, you avoid each of them driving a vehicle. In this way, traffic and the emission of polluting gases are reduced.
Infrastructures to improve mobility
In order for the use of less polluting vehicles to be imposed towards what is this decarbonization of mobility, it is essential that they be created new alternatives and infrastructures that improve urban mobility and help to reorganize and optimize traffic flows.
This is what is happening in countries such as Germany, France or Italy, where the road layout is changing in favor of an increase in lanes for vehicles such as electric scooters restricted to traffic. Along these lines, it is also key to have separate lanes for buses and other public transport vehicles.
Low emission zones
One of the main measures included in the protocols is that which directly affects road traffic, limiting its access to city centers and reducing speed limits in certain areas. These, known as low emission zones (LEZ) are areas, located mostly in the center of cities where, to favor electricity, access is prohibited to the most polluting vehicles to improve air quality.
To do this, the label system of the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) is taken into account, being able to access only those of Zero emissions and ECO. Currently, in Spain there are those of Madrid Central (an area of 4.7 square km occupying almost completely the downtown district of the city).
There is also that of Barcelona, which has a perimeter of more than 95 square kilometers, which broadly encompasses the interior of the two rounds and some neighboring municipalities with the big city. The standard states that, from 2023, a good number of Spanish cities will have to have a low emissions zone. These are the populations indicated in article 14 of the law.
- Municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants.
- Island territories.
- Populations of more than 20,000 inhabitants that exceed certain emission limits.
Sustainable roads
In this long-distance race towards decarbonisation, our roads are a key element in making mobility increasingly sustainable. And at this point, many countries are working on the eco-efficiency and safety networks, including Spain (although at a slower pace than the main ones in Europe).
Thus, in this direction, the roads of the future, also known as sustainable roads, are a key element in meeting the challenges and Sustainable Development goals that directly impact climate change. For this reason, roads are called upon to abandon their passive role as a traffic structure to become a element connected to the vehicle, capable of interacting with traffic, reducing emissions, generating sustainable energy and even taking care of its own maintenance, such as recharging while traveling.