Cities all over the world are taking action on climate policy and pursuing a variety of strategies to counter the threat posed by global warming.
The global net zero concept states that the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions should be equal to or less than the emissions that can be removed from the atmosphere by using appropriate measures. Cities are adopting various initiatives to achieve this goal, so it’s instructive to take a look at four examples in Europe.
Barcelona
Barcelona is using a climate strategy to pursue its net zero target. This plan envisages a variety of measures to achieve a 45% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2023; the intention is that the city should become climate-neutral by 2050. Superblocks or “Superilles” where several streets are reconfigured to form one large block are an important part of the strategy which (amongst other things) serves to calm traffic in residential areas. Barcelona’s overall strategy for delivery vehicles consists in promoting sustainable and emission-free delivery options. The idea is to reduce the number of heavy goods vehicles in the inner city and promote the use of microhubs to consolidate deliveries. Moreover, new technologies to improve the efficiency of deliveries are being explored.
Munich
In order to achieve its climate goals, Munich is relying on a redistribution of existing road space in favor of pedestrians, cyclists and public transportation. This includes expanding the bus network and creating a charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. In order to improve mobility, the city is also investing in new technologies such as electric and autonomous vehicles. Thus, for example, the city has launched a pilot project for autonomous electric shuttles. One of the key strategies is to promote low-emission delivery vehicles such as electric vans or cargo bikes. Another approach is to regulate delivery times in certain areas of the city in order to reduce traffic congestion during peak hours. In order to achieve this, Munich has established “delivery windows” outside of peak times when companies can deliver their goods. At the same time, this helps to reduce the number of delivery vehicles on the road. The city has also adopted initiatives to promote the consolidation of deliveries, meaning that several companies are able to share a single delivery vehicle. The state capital aims to be 80% emission-free by 2025.
Paris
Paris has defined two targets to be achieved by 2050: zero emissions with no compensatory mechanisms together with a target that offsets consumption-related emissions. The French capital has already adopted measures to achieve climate-neutral mobility, such as introducing a 30 kph speed limit on almost every road. Paris is striving to establish a coordinated urban logistics system by creating a network of logistics centers in the heart of the city. This will allow one to shift traffic from the streets and onto low-carbon means of transportation such as small electric delivery vehicles that will cover “the last mile”. The logistics hub will accommodate housing, logistics and business in the heart of the capital and accept goods that are to be delivered throughout the city. It’s estimated that this could avoid the need for roughly 5000 trucks a year and thus prevent the emission of around 1500 tonnes of CO2.
Scandinavia
Denmark is particularly at the forefront when it comes to autonomous mobility. Our partner Holo has already been given approval to use its vehicles on the road, with shuttles serving a 2.1 kilometer-long route with 10 stops. Holo is also deploying a fleet of 15 autonomous vehicles for a transport operator in Oslo. In general, the Danish government has enacted some ambitious climate legislation and envisages a 70% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030, followed by climate neutrality by 2050.
Autonomous delivery solutions such as LOXO can play a vital role in implementing cities’ climate targets. “LOXO Alpha” can help to make delivery traffic more efficient and eco-friendly. See for yourself why autonomous delivery vehicles are the ideal solution for “the last mile”.
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Source: https://www.local-energy.swiss/dam/
Source: https://sustainablemobility.iclei.org/barcelona-cycle-logistics/
Source: https://muenchenunterwegs.de/news/
Source: https://www.local-energy.swiss/dam/
Source: https://sustainablemobility.iclei.org/paris-leads-the-way-for-sustainable-mobility
