Leveraging THE PEP Partnerships to accelerate the transition to healthy, sustainable and climate neutral mobility in the pan-European region
This event at the Seventh Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health is organized by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology, in partnership with WHO/Europe’s Centre for Environment and Health and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) under the Transport, Health and Environment Pan-European Programme (THE PEP).
Participants will learn why sustainable and healthy mobility should be promoted at national and local levels, and how this can be done.
A new e-biking functionality of the Health Economic Assessment Tool (HEAT) for walking and cycling will be launched, with a practical demonstration of how the tool can be used to assess the impacts of e-biking in terms of physical activity benefits, risks from air pollution exposure and crush risk as well as effects on carbon emissions. E-biking (i.e. cycling with electric assist) is rapidly changing both urban and recreational cycling in many countries. Electric assist extends the range of cycling, increases speed and lowers the burden of steep hills, strong head winds or heavy cargo. E-bikes are also particularly popular with older riders, a population group that benefits even more from regular exercise.
The achievements of THE PEP Partnerships on Active Mobility and on Child- and Youth-friendly Mobility will be presented, showcasing how these partnerships can help accelerate the transition to healthy, sustainable and climate-neutral mobility in the pan-European region. The event will also highlight the role of road safety as a fundamental prerequisite for the promotion of safe active mobility.
Healthy and sustainable mobility: multiple benefits for health and the environment
Healthy and sustainable mobility, such as walking and cycling, plays an important role in increasing physical activity and reducing air pollution, noise, climate change, energy consumption and road congestion. Evidence shows that shifting short car trips (responsible for 40% of emissions) to active mobility can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote everyday physical activity. Active mobility also prevents noncommunicable diseases, which account for more than 70% of all deaths in the pan-European region.
Mobilizing resources to make mobility healthy and sustainable would significantly contribute to enhancing public health, combating climate change, promoting economic development, fostering social equity and ensuring urban sustainability, paving the way for a more resilient, prosperous and inclusive society.