The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and partners considered options for expanding electric mobility at a side event held during the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20).
Among other things, participants considered the initiative by the Global Forum for Human Settlements (GFHS) and the Renault-Nissan Alliance to provide zero-emission transport for Rio+20.
13 June 2012: The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), alongside the Global Forum for Human Settlements (GFHS) and other partners, convened a side event at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) to consider options for sustainable urban transport by expanding the use of electric mobility.
Ralph Wahnschafft, DESA, chaired the event, which presented an overview of an initiative by the GFHS and the Renault-Nissan Alliance to provide zero-emission transport for Rio+20.
Lu Haifeng, Secretary-General, GFHS, noted that the demonstration vehicle project involves: providing Rio+20 Secretariat transport; and allowing delegates, public and viewers to experience the electric vehicles. He noted that the use of electric vehicles contributes to improving air quality and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Noting that the technology is now maturing, he underlined that some governments have provided incentives to encourage the adoption of this technology.
Murilo Moreno, Renault-Nissan Alliance, noted an increasing demand in mobility and cautioned that the status quo cannot remain, urging for progress on reducing GHG emissions. He highlighted that the alliance is the leader in electric vehicles and lauded the success of partnerships to drive and promote the use of electric vehicles, citing partnerships with Mexico City and São Paulo.
Kathleen Abdalla, DESA, noted that the sustainability community has been addressing transportation impacts since the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) 20 years ago, as it affects all three pillars of sustainable development. She cautioned that mobility improvements has led to a number of sustainability concerns, warning that electric mobility is one part of a menu of options for sustainable transport.
David Redfern, Renault-Nissan Alliance, on questions over whether electric vehicles are a true sustainability solution, cited numerous improvements in technology leading to vehicles having zero emissions. He said the demonstration vehicles are being used to provide a shuttle service for participants during Rio+20. [ENB On the Side]