Kick the Habit: A UN Guide to Climate Neutrality

CITIES

Inspired by similar schemes in Curitiba and Bogota, Jakarta built a 12.9 ki- lometre rapid transport system in nine months. There are now six further routes, and plans for more, all using diesel and compressed natural gas buses. The network saves an estimated 120 000 tonnes of CO 2 a year, and has improved safety and efficiency. Mexico City has replaced 3 000 taxis with more fuel-efficient models. The municipal government, with support from a local bank, is providing 15 000 pesos (approximately US$1 375) to each driver wishing to replace his old taxi with a new vehicle, costing about 70 000 pesos (US$6 420). The remaining sum is repaid via a bank loan over about four years, with drivers paying 760 to 870 pesos a month (about US$70–80). The city’s 103 000 taxis account for 35 per cent of transport emissions. The programme aims to replace 10 000 old taxis by 2012. The project shows how vital it is to work in partnership with other parts of government, including the environment and transport ministries. Seoul is trying – with some success – to show its people that there are other ways of getting round the city apart from the car. Its Weekly No Driving Day programme is improving air quality, cutting congestion and saving energy. Every year, 2 million cars stay off the road, reducing CO 2 vehicle emissions by 10 per cent – a total of 2 million tonnes of CO 2 . The improved air quality is improving residents’ health, saving the city millions annually. The pro- gramme – which is voluntary – works because it is applied on weekdays, which encourages people to find other ways to and from work. Participants are given incentives, like discounted petrol, free parking and car washing, to use alternate modes of transport on their chosen day. They are encouraged to take part as often as they can. Those participating just three times a year, for example, will have their incentives removed or reduced. Cycling can be made attractive even in chilly northern Europe. In the Dan- ish capital, Copenhagen, “the City of Cyclists”, more than 36 per cent of the population cycles to work every day, and the city saves about 90 000 tonnes of CO 2 emissions annually. Bikes are as fast as cars and buses over distances of up to five kilometres. Despite a dramatic growth in their use during the last ten years, the number of accidents has fallen substantially. There are