Cities100: Paris - Transport Policy Curbs Air Pollution

Paris is instituting a suite of initiatives to combat air pollution and promote mobility, with a focus on eliminating diesel vehicles and promoting bike and car-sharing services.

The Challenge

Paris has struggled with poor air quality connected to motorized vehicle transportation, especially from diesel-fueled vehicles, which are responsible for 40% of fine particle emissions. To remedy this situation, the city launched a series of rigorous measures to advance a shift away from diesel vehicles and promote low-carbon mobility.

The Solution

Paris’ ambitious mix of public policy initiatives and investment in alternative modes of mobility is tackling the city’s air quality problems. Specific measures include improving the pedestrian network, promoting the use of electric vehicles, and banning the use of polluting diesel vehicles by 2020. By gradually implementing these policies over the coming years, Paris hopes to achieve its ultimate goal of reducing transportation emissions by 60% by 2020. Other key measures of Paris’ plan to combat traffic-related air pollution are improvements to the city’s flagship self-service bike- and electric car-sharing programs, Velib’ and Autolib’. To support these services, Paris added 1,279 bicycle parking spots in 2014 and will install 1,400 km of cycle lanes by 2020, with the goal of increasing the share of trips made by bikes to 15% by that year. In addition, citizens who give up their car can receive financial help to subscribe to Velib’ or Autolib’ or to Navigo, the city-wide public transport pass.

Environmental Benefits – Measures taken by the city aim to decrease traffic, which is responsible for two-thirds of NO2 emissions in Paris.

Economic Benefits – The promotion of Autolib’ and Velib’ contributes to the development of the sharing economy and allow users to avoid high-cost vehicle ownership.

Health Benefits – With these concrete actions, Paris aims to improve its air quality and the respiratory health of its residents.

About Cities100

In its second year, Cities100 – presented by C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40), Sustainia and Realdania – showcases leading solutions to urban climate challenges in ten sectors, ranging from solid waste management to transportation. For the first time, this year’s publication features solutions that address the nexus of climate change and social equity.

Available online and in print, Cities100 provides stakeholders an accessible format to explore achievable solutions for climate action in cities, and will be a useful tool for relevant groups ranging from impact investors and development organizations, to mayors and city governments.  You can access the full Cities100 2016 publication online here and read more about how may­ors will de­liver the aims of the Paris Agree­ment in a fore­ward by Anne Hidalgo, C40 Chair and Mayor of Paris, here.