UN hails Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia on green transport initiatives

The United Nations through its environment programme (UNEP) has hailed some African nations including Ethiopia, Kenya and Rwanda for their recent initiatives in sustainable mobility – green transport.

The organisation made the praise public earlier this week as part of celebrations for the World Bicycle Day, which promotes sustainable options for transporting people.

In a post on its Instagram page, UNEP wrote: “Happy #WorldBicycleDay! Let’s celebrate by calling attention to how many Africans are rolling towards a greener continent – on two wheels.”

It added: “Initiatives supporting cycling are not just about improving transportation but also go a long way towards combating the climate crisis. UNEP works with local authorities and activists to speed the transition to sustainable mobility across Africa.”

On the issue of climate change, it is believed that the use of motorcars and motorcycles has contributed highly to environmental pollution.

For instance, cars and vans are said to account for around 10% of global Carbon dioxide emissions through the burning of diesel and petrol. CO₂ being a major contributor to climate change.

Hence reducing car pollution requires adopting cleaner vehicles, reducing mileage, and using alternative transportation options like bicycles.

“Many Africans are embracing cycling in cities & rural areas in response to the climate crisis,” stated UNEP

“Kigali’s (Rwanda) focus on active transport is enhancing air quality & encouraging healthier lifestyles for its residents.

“Nairobi (Kenya) is transforming its urban landscape by investing in walking & cycling infrastructure, reducing emissions and promoting a healthier city environment.

“Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) is implementing green transport initiatives, creating safer & more sustainable streets for all its citizens.”

Nations of the world are fighting climate change from all angles – and resorting to sustainable mobility options is one. As a fun fact, there are already more than two billion bikes in use around the world; and by 2050, it is believed that the number could be as high as five billion.