Heidelberg joins 13 C40 cities in committing to procure only zero-emission buses from 2025 and ensure a major area of the city is zero emission by 2030
Mayor Prof. Dr. Würzner affirmed the commitment following the
Formula E race in Berlin
Read the Press Release in German.
Heidelberg, Germany (22 May 2018) — The Mayor of Heidelberg, Prof. Dr. Würzner, today committed to a series of ambitious targets to make city greener, healthier and more prosperous. By signing the C40 Green and Healthy Streets Declaration, the City of Heidelberg commits to procure only zero-emission buses from 2025 and ensure that a major area of the city is zero emission by 2030. The policies are designed to fight air pollution, improve the quality of life for all citizens, and help take more climate action.
Mayor Würzner, affirmed Heidelberg’s commitment to the Green and Healthy Streets Declaration following the Formula E race held in Berlin this weekend.
Heidelberg joins London, Paris, Los Angeles, Copenhagen, Barcelona, Rome, Quito, Vancouver, Mexico City, Milan, Seattle, Auckland & Cape Town, to become the 14th city to sign the Declaration.
“The goals of the C40 Fossil Fuel Free Declaration fit perfectly to our own sustainable development strategies regarding clean air and climate protection,” said Prof. Dr. Eckart Würzner, Mayor of Heidelberg. “With their signature the C40 cities will boost the development of clean air mobility technologies and strategies.”
“Air pollution caused by petrol and diesel vehicles is killing millions of people in cities around the world. Emissions from these vehicles are also causing climate change. Mayor Würzner’s commitment to the C40 Green & Healthy Streets Declaration illustrates the determination of mayors around the world to take bold climate action,” said Mark Watts, C40 Executive Director. “With just 5 months before leaders of cities, states and global businesses reveal new bold commitments in San Francisco during the Global Climate Action Summit, I am delighted that Heidelberg has joined us in this important commitment. We hope many other world cities will join us in making this commitment at the Global Climate Action Summit.”
Signatories to the Green and Healthy Streets Declaration “envision a future where walking, cycling, and shared transport are how the majority of citizens move around our cities.” The cities therefore commit to:
- Increase rates of walking, cycling and the use of public and shared transport.
- Reduce the number of polluting vehicles on city streets.
- Lead by example by procuring zero-emission vehicles for city fleets.
- Collaborate with suppliers, fleet operators and businesses to accelerate the shift to zero emissions vehicles and reduce vehicle miles in cities.
Cities will report back every two years on the progress they are making towards the goals of the C40 Declaration.