Mobility credits to combat CO2 emissions
The 'mobility credits' model represents a new paradigm in sustainable transport that awakens transport authorities, travellers and technology providers to the realities of climate change and policy needs. It is based on the premise of establishing targets for GHGs, basically CO2 production, in order to define how many 'credits' commuters can spend. This visionary model was introduced by the EU-funded project Democritos, unveiling new opportunities for eco-friendly mobility and transport. Today, enabling citizens simply to understand the concept of sustainability is not enough to address key challenges on the topic. The mobility credits model can be an effective way of integrating society in sustainable practices, either through an optional pedagogic tool or a mandatory community or government scheme. To achieve its aims, the project defined the mobility credit model and theory behind it. It extrapolated the long-term effects on climate, as well as on local pollution levels and congestion. It also launched a website that enables users to simulate the use of mobility credits in four test-case cities and disseminated its goals through different channels such as newsletters. This has provided municipalities and regional authorities involved in the project with novel ways to control emissions, empowering them to address climate change and energy dependency. In effect, the scheme, which applies to all modes of transport, puts pressure on industry and citizens to deliver efficiency and cleanliness. Democritos has changed the onus from charging for transportation access to charging for energy consumption, engaging citizens much more actively in addressing urgent climate issues. Such a scheme is expected to go a long way towards redefining the Kyoto Protocol and meeting ambitious reductions in emissions. It will soon provide lawmakers and authorities with ingenious solutions to help make our world become healthier and more sustainable.