Options for sustainable mobility

Abstract

A major global problem is access to transport and thus mobility. Clearly, without mobility, economic vitality is severely curtailed; however, mobility and economic vitality brings a number of externalities not least in terms of pollutants. As such, there is a need to make sustainable mobility a priority. The World Business Council for Sustainable Development defined sustainable mobility as ‘the ability to meet society's need to move freely, gain access, communicate, trade and establish relationships without sacrificing other essential human or ecological values, today or in the future’. The question is: how should this be achieved? This paper outlines the background to the problem of sustainable mobility, including a simple economic model that sets the problem in context. The focus is on three potential ways of addressing the issue of sustainable mobility: the market-based solution; technological change; and the promotion of sustainable modes of transport defined as public transport, walking and cycling. It is important to note, however, that these are not mutually exclusive and that ‘more mobility’ is not necessarily better.