In cities, the primary source of outdoor air pollution is vehicle emissions. According to the World
Health Organisation, approximately 4.2 million deaths were observed due to ambient air
pollution in 2016. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the
fastest growing source of fossil fuel carbon dioxide emissions is transportation. These vehicular
emissions are also major contributors to climate change due to poor fuel quality and
ineffective vehicle regulation. Therefore, a creative idea popped in to go car-free for a single
day across the globe. World Car Free Day is celebrated every year on the 22nd of September.
This day has a hidden motto to opt for walking and cycling as a new means of transport
wherever possible.
World Car-Free Day campaign was launched globally and officially in 2000 by Carbusters, now
known as the World Carfree Network. Although multiple informal car-free days have been
organised since the 1990s in countries like the UK, Iceland etc.
" World Car-Free Day is the perfect time to take the heat off the planet and put it on the city
planners and politicians to give priority to cycling, walking and public transport instead of an
automobile,” as quoted by World Carfree Network.
Air pollution is a major threat to our society. Approximately 140 million people in India
breathe air that is 10 times more than the WHO safe limit according to a study based on
2016 data and 22 cities of India were on the list of most polluted cities in the world according
to a report by the Swiss Organisation, IQAir 2020. As per the report, industrial pollution contributes 51% of the air pollution, Vehicles contribute 27%, crop burning contributes 17% and other sources contribute 5% of total air pollution.
"An hour of walking every day can prove to be valuable in our lives, even more,
valuable than our cars"
Need of the hour:-
World Car Free Day is celebrated annually on 22 September. Around the world, car-free days
encourage people to give up their vehicles and use non-motorized transport, like biking, skating
or walking, instead.
Countries affected the most:-
African countries such as Uganda, Ethiopia and Rwanda have adopted monthly car-free days, an initiative launched by their governments to encourage non-motorized transportation and fight air
pollution.
On the Car-free day what needs to be done
Every year on or around 22 September, cities across the globe celebrate World Car-Free Day,
encouraging motorists to give up their cars for a day. The event highlights the numerous benefits
of going car-free to citizens—including reduced air pollution and the promotion of walking and
cycling in a safer environment.
Car-free days are an opportunity for cities to highlight how congested roads can be used in
different ways. From races for alternative-energy powered vehicles in Budapest, to horse-riding
in São Paulo, to street picnics in Vienna, to running in Jakarta, cities and the people who live in
they are stressing the alternatives to polluting vehicles on this important day.
Air pollution caused by transport
Car-free days are a massive opportunity for cities to realize how much pollution affects our lives.
Vehicle emissions are one of the main sources of outdoor air pollution, particularly in cities.
Vehicle emissions are the result of poor fuel quality and weak vehicle regulation around the
world. The Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles was launched by UN Environment to support
countries to address urban air pollution through the adoption of cleaner fuels and more efficient
vehicle technologies and standards. It is recognized for successfully supporting countries to
phase out leaded gasoline.
Drivers need to learn to share the road
UN Environment’s Share the Road Programme supports governments and other stakeholders in
developing countries to invest in infrastructure for pedestrians and bicycles.
Breathe Life – a global campaign for clean air
Many of the cities which hold car-free days also participate in the #BreatheLife campaign. The
Breathe Life campaign is led by the World Health Organization, UN Environment and the Climate
& Clean Air Coalition. It supports cleaner air initiatives, promotes the use of clean energy and
helps cities, regions and countries develop policies and programmes to reduce air pollution.
Current status of how countries are acknowledging this day
• On car-free days, horses are ridden on the streets of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
• Different marathons and races are organised for alternative-powered vehicles in Budapest.
• In 2015, the first journée sans voitures (day without a car) was organised in Paris,
France's capital; reduces 40% of exhaust emissions, according to UNEP.
• Jakarta organises several events of racing to celebrate the day.
• Vienna highlights the importance of this day by organising street picnics, according to
UNEP.
• In India, Haryana CM rides a bicycle from his residence to the Secretariat in Chandigarh,
with his cabinet colleagues and MLAs. A Digital exhibition was also set up to raise
environmental awareness.
• Several cities such as Ethiopia, launched a car-free Sunday scheme to reduce pollution and
promote social engagement.
• People in Paris took the opportunity to walk, cycle and even hurry along the streets.
• Streets of Belgium's capital Brussels were used for a community breakfast.
Need for awareness about these types of environmental friendly days
It is important to increase environmental awareness in order to inspire people and future
generations to take sustainable actions on climate change. This can be achieved by making
people aware of the different environmental events, such as “World car-free day”. It provides
an opportunity for people to learn and participate in environmentally friendly activities together. All
I need to take a step forward for just one day by walking or cycling, avoiding the use of cars. A mode of public transport can also be used instead. Walking and exercising helps to improve physical health and emotional well-being. It also reduces pollution and fuel consumption. So, the
World Car Free Day is the best time to take the traffic off the roads by prioritising cycling, walking and public transport instead of automobiles.
References
● https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/world-car-free-day-22-september-great-
opportunity-reduce-air-pollution
● https://ig.ft.com/india-pollution/
● https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/want-govt-to-build-1600-km-green
-wall-along-Aravalli-says-activist-vijaypal-baghel-6182069/
● https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/22-of-the-worlds-30-most-polluted-cities-are-in-india
-delhi-most-polluted-capital-city-report-2392028#:~:text=Besides%20Delhi%2C%20th
e%2021%20other%20Indian%20cities%20among,and%20Dharuhera%20in%20her
ana%2C%20and%20Muzaffarpur%20in%20 Bihar.
● https://www-wionews-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.wionews.com/world/internatio
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ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wionews.com%2Fworld%2Finternational-car-free
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● https://www-thequint-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.thequint.com/amp/story/news/
environment/world-car-free-day-2021-history-and-significance-events?amp_gsa=1&a
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● https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/air-pollution/index.cfm
● https://indianexpress-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/indianexpress.com/article/cities/del
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