No cars, no CO² emissions
Capital celebrates net zero emissions week
The Windhoek municipality celebrated the occasion with an exhibition of electric vehicles and other transport that has a less negative impact on the environment.
"With the rise of climate change and concerns about air pollution, electric vehicles worldwide offer a sustainable alternative to traditional fuel-powered cars. Rechargeable batteries power these vehicles and create zero emissions, making them a more environmentally friendly driver choice."
Cedric Limbo, the director for transport policy and regulations in the Ministry of Works and Transport, made this statement on Monday during the official opening of the Windhoek municipality's Net Zero Emissions Week.
He added that electric vehicles are changing people's thinking about transportation.
The municipality also celebrated the occasion with an exhibition of electric vehicles and other transport that has a less negative impact on the environment.
Limbo admitted that the supporting infrastructure for electric vehicles is lacking, calling for the provision of charging stations and other necessary infrastructure.
Nevertheless, the government promotes a policy regarding transport that calls for the protection of the environment and response to the challenges of climate change, the maintenance of international environmental conventions and the reduction of emissions to create towns where people can live.
Emissions
“The transport sector contributes significantly to the emission of carbon dioxide, due to long distances travelled to deliver goods and services within the country. Mitigating the deterioration of air quality is quickly becoming a significant challenge. This is because vehicle ownership, especially in urban areas, is increasing rapidly. People own more vehicles than they need," he said.
Limbo cited the 2018 transport policy, which calls for more non-motorised transport, the use of vehicles that emit less emissions, and the application of vehicle designs that emit less emissions, especially in public transport such as buses and taxis.
Speaking at the same event, the mayor of Windhoek, Queen Kamati, said "This week not only marks our commitment to combating climate change but also celebrates the powerful impact that small, individual actions can have in preserving our environment."
Kamati highlighted the vulnerability of the capital to climate change.
Susceptible
"Windhoek relies heavily on rainfall and dams for water, which makes it particularly susceptible to the impact of drier conditions and unpredictable rainfall patterns," she said.
Currently, the capital has imposed restrictions on the amount of water that may be used in Windhoek, with fines in place for those who waste too much water.
Furthermore, Net Zero Emissions Week goes hand in hand with Mobility Week, "which is a global campaign from 16 to 21 September to encourage the use of active mobility, public transport and clean transport solutions," she says.
According to her, the week culminates on Saturday, when the capital celebrates a car-free day.
This will involve car-free areas, where Windhoekers will instead have to walk, cycle or use public transport and be less dependent on cars.
During the week, university students will develop ideas to make the layout of the city more accessible to pedestrians, including the opportunity to cycle to work today, and a corporate quiz event, she said. – [email protected]