The FIA Foundation’s Habitat III Agenda: Air Quality

The FIA Foundation’s ‘safe, clean, fair and green’ agenda for Habitat III covers three main policy areas: Safe streets for all: vulnerable road users need improved protection on the roads in our cities. Poor families are particularly vulnerable and are locked into a cycle of poverty when hit by road traffic injury. City streets must be made safe for all with ‘safe system’ street design to create low speed, liveable environments encouraging walking and cycling. A ‘children first’ approach is needed. A safe journey to and from school for every child, in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child must be a policy priority. Clean air for all: According to the WHO, 88% of urban dwellers live in cities which do not comply with the Air Quality Guidelines. Children are particularly vulnerable to acute respiratory infections from poor air quality as their lungs are still developing. Road transport makes a significant contribution to this problem, and must provide some of the solutions. Improving propulsion technologies and fuel quality; making vehicles more fuel efficient; and reducing urban car use by tackling the causes of car dependence, are vital. Vehicle numbers in cities are set to more than double by 2050 with implications for congestion, pollution and climate change. Equitable access to mobility is essential for economic growth and development, but is often constrained by a lack of options, affordability, and concerns about personal security. While in many developing cities pedestrians are in a majority, their needs are neglected. Fair access to low carbon transport options must be a priority. The text of the New Urban Agenda which will be adopted at the Habitat III conference in Quito includes a strong focus on sustainable mobility, promoting the “safe system” approach called for in the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety. There is an emphasis on the needs of children as well as other vulnerable groups, people with disabilities, women, girls and the elderly. Emphasis is placed on pedestrian safety, the need for cycling mobility and motorcycle safety. The text on sustainable mobility ends by presenting a commitment to “promote the safe and healthy journey to school for every child as a priority.” Learn more: https://www.fiafoundation.org/connect/publications/habitat-iii-urban-mobility-for-all --- Our aim is to ensure ‘Safe, Clean, Fair and Green’ mobility for all, playing our part to ensure a sustainable future. The FIA Foundation has an international reputation for innovative global road safety philanthropy; practical environmental research and interventions to improve air quality and tackle climate change; and high impact strategic advocacy in the areas of road traffic injury prevention and motor vehicle fuel efficiency. Learn more: http://www.fiafoundation.org/