November 26th is World Sustainable Transport Day. Sustainable transportation refers to modes of transportation with minimal environmental impact, such as public vehicles, eco-friendly cars, ride sharing, bicycles, walking, and so on. These aim to save energy and utilise environmentally friendly vehicles, ensuring the movement of people and goods, promoting economic and social development, while effectively reducing carbon and other pollutant emissions to alleviate the impact on the environment.
Indeed, emissions from transportation severely damage the environment and contribute to air pollution. Throughout the lifecycle of activities or products, the direct or indirect greenhouse gas emissions are referred to as the “carbon footprint.” According to UN data, the global per capita carbon footprint is 5.9 tons annually, with over 70 per cent originating from vehicles in operation. Clearly, if the concept of “car-free” could be implemented, global carbon footprints would be reduced by 3.6 tons annually.
However, achieving this seems impractical. As of September 2023, according to Transport Department data, there are over 815,000 licensed vehicles in Hong Kong, representing a 0.6 per cent increase from the previous year. Imagining all licensed vehicles on the streets simultaneously would lead to severe traffic congestion and emissions!
To protect our ecological environment, we may consider using public transportation which undoubtedly accommodates more passengers than private cars. According to Transport Department data, various public transportation modes, including railways, trams, buses, minibuses, taxis, and ferries, had a daily ridership of 11 million people from January to August 2023. Reducing the number of cars on the road helps alleviate traffic congestion and reduces air pollution caused by greenhouse gas emissions.
Another effective way to reduce our carbon footprint is to encourage the use of electric vehicles. Many parking lots in Hong Kong provide car charging services. The Automotive Research and Technology Development Centre under the Innovation and Technology Bureau is exploring how to use hydrogen and fuel cells to address the charging issues of electric vehicles. The advantage of hydrogen is zero carbon emissions with only water emission, making it a very clean energy source. Most vehicles currently operate on fossil fuels such as gasoline, diesel, or liquefied petroleum gas, which are non-renewable and emit nitrogen oxides and particulate matter that pollute the air and adversely affect our health.
In protecting the environment and promoting sustainable transportation development, the Vatican is also making efforts. Pope Francis released his latest apostolic exhortation, Laudate Deum [Praise God], on October 4 to call for global shared responsibility in the face of the urgent situation of climate change.
In mid-November, the Vatican City launched the 2030 Ecological Conversion sustainable transport development project, with plans to gradually replace existing vehicles with electric ones. It also aims to establish a charging network within its borders to actively promote green transportation. It hopes to serve as a model for other countries. The final aim is to care for our common home together. SE
