The World Economic Forum (WEF) has put forward a proposition in their recent report, “The Urban Mobility Scorecard: Benchmarking the Transition to Sustainable Urban Mobility,” suggesting eliminating 75% of the world’s vehicle fleet by 2050 to address climate change.
The objective of reducing vehicles is seen as a step toward their vision of a future where citizens have fewer possessions.
Urbanization and population growth are driving factors behind the WEF’s proposal.
With an estimated 70% of the global population expected to reside in urban areas by 2050, managing the increased demand for transportation and supply chains poses significant challenges.
The WEF looks to the Paris Agreement as a framework, striving for sustainable, healthy, and prosperous cities by eliminating 75% of private vehicles, potentially reducing 4.6 billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
While the automotive industry has emphasized the development of electric cars as an alternative to combustion engines, the WEF asserts that electric vehicles alone are insufficient.
They advocate for a shift to shared mobility alongside electrification to achieve emissions reductions and address congestion and health issues.
Shared mobility is central to the WEF’s vision for the future, suggesting that private vehicle ownership will decline, particularly for lower-income individuals.
Only higher-income citizens may have access to more polluting and powerful vehicles, while others must rely on shared transportation.
The WEF also promotes the expansion of public and shared transport systems, connected and autonomous vehicles, and creating of compact cities suitable for walking and cycling.
While framed as beneficial for the planet, it is important to note that these measures may have a significant impact on the average citizen.
The proposals put forth by international institutions like the WEF influence how, where, and to what extent people can move, ultimately affecting everyday individuals.
The climate change argument can be seen as a justification for the somewhat patronizing intentions of a select group, although there is a growing acceptance of such proposals among certain segments of the population, often unaware of the potential consequences.
In summary, the WEF’s proposal aims to reduce the global vehicle fleet by 75% by 2050 to address climate change and promote sustainable urban mobility.
While the intention is to create eco-friendly cities, the impact on the ordinary citizen should be considered, as these measures may significantly influence their daily lives.