Energy efficient urban transport could save $70tn by 2050

Date: 17/7/2013

If cities across the world embrace energy efficient urban transport, as much as $70 trillion (£46 trillion) could be saved on vehicles, fuel and transportation infrastructure by 2050, the (IEA) International Energy Agency has revealed.
 
In a new report named A Tale of Renewed Cities, the organisation explained that the move would also mean lower greenhouse gas emissions and a better quality of life.
 
This is increasingly important as the world's population continues to descend upon urban centres, causing greater congestion and placing greater demand on public transport.
 
"Urgent steps to improve the efficiency of urban transport systems are needed not only for energy security reasons, but also to mitigate the numerous negative climate, noise, air pollution, congestion and economic impacts of rising urban transport volumes," said IEA Executive Director Maria van der Hoeven, who presented the report.
 
She explains that the 70 per cent of the world's population is predicted to live in urban centres by 2050, amounting to 6.3 billion people. Therefore, she believes governments across the globe should plan now to be prepared for the future.