Every year, around the 22nd of September, cities around the world come together to celebrate World Car-Free Day, urging motorists to set aside their vehicles for a day. This annual event spotlights the numerous advantages of going car-free, which include reducing air pollution and promoting safer environments for walking and cycling.

The World Carfree Network envisions World Car-Free Day as a window into what our cities could become without the constant presence of cars—a glimpse of a cleaner, quieter and more sustainable urban future, not just for a day but potentially for 365 days a year.

In sync with this global movement, European towns show their commitment to clean and sustainable urban transportation during #MobilityWeek, which occurs from the 16th to the 22nd of September each year. Car-free days present an invaluable opportunity for cities to confront the harsh reality of how pollution affects our lives. Vehicle emissions, especially in densely populated urban areas, stand as a significant contributor to outdoor air pollution. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, ambient air pollution alone was responsible for approximately 4.2 million deaths in 2016. Furthermore, the transport sector is the fastest-growing source of fossil-fuel CO2 emissions, making it a major driver of climate change.

The root cause of these harmful vehicle emissions can be attributed to subpar fuel quality and lax vehicle regulations across the globe. To address urban air pollution and combat this menace, the UN Environment launched the Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles. This initiative supports countries in adopting cleaner fuels and more efficient vehicle technologies and standards. Notably, it has been successful in assisting countries in phasing out leaded gasoline, a significant stride towards cleaner air.

The tangible benefits of going car-free are striking. Take, for example, the “journée sans voiture” (day without a car) held in Paris, France in September 2015, which managed to reduce exhaust emissions by an impressive 40 percent.

Rob de Jong, the Head of UN Environment’s Air Quality and Mobility Unit, aptly points out, “Most cities have been designed around mobility for cars, and it is high time we change this and start designing cities around human mobility.”

In conjunction with car-free days, many cities participate in the #BreatheLife campaign, a global initiative led by the World Health Organization, UN Environment, and the Climate & Clean Air Coalition. This campaign champions cleaner air, advocates for the use of clean energy sources, and aids cities, regions, and countries in developing policies and programs to combat air pollution. Remarkably, the campaign has already reached over 80 million people worldwide.

Similar to car-free days, the Breathe Life campaign underscores the steps that communities and individuals can take—such as curbing waste burning, promoting green spaces, and embracing walking or cycling—to enhance air quality and create a healthier environment for all.

Here at BetterUtilities, we encourage staff to go green, so we operate the Cycle to Work Scheme to help do so, as well as many other employee benefits such as free gym membership.

We’re always on the lookout for talented new team members at BetterUtilities, so if you would like to work in a fast-paced, exciting industry, why not contact us with your CV and we’ll be in touch with you. You can send us your CV directly >here<