Cities across Europe are clearing their roads of cars and vehicles to hold ‘car-free’ days.

September this year saw the 11th annual car-free day in Brussels as part of European Mobility week, but last weekend saw Milan forced to hold another car-free day to battle their ongoing high smog levels.

Milan is well known for having high levels of smog which regularly exceed permitted levels, so often hold car-free days in an attempt to reduce the smog in the city and surrounding areas.

The first car-free day was introduced in 2007 as a trial, to see if it could be adequately done and if it would be effective, and is now used whenever the pollution levels exceed the statutory limit for 12 days in a row.

Environmental campaigners have however criticised the scheme, claiming that it only controls the problem of smog and pollutions, rather than encourages any long-term changes or solutions.

European Mobility Week last month saw cities across Europe take part in not only banning cars for short spaces of time, but also promoting cycling and other green transport.

Brussels, the seat of the European Union and home to its environmental legislation, disallowed all cars from being used on its roads on Sunday September 18th, instead encouraging the population to go on foot or by bike.

While these one-day events will not drastically reduce emissions or EU cities’ carbon footprints, green event planners are hoping that they will create further awareness of the issues at hand and help to encourage and inspire the population to implement green changes in their own lives.

EU cities may be making small changes toward greener transport, but many are still failing to combat high levels of soot and smog.

Brussels, Madrid, Rome and London were each awarded an ‘F’ grade for progress in reducing soot emissions by the Soot-free For The Climate campaign, run by German environmental and consumer associations.

Berlin achieved the highest grade of a ‘B’, but none of the 17 cities assessed in the campaign was awarded with an ‘A’ grade.

In the UK, a new report reveals that the government is failing to effectively promote sustainable transport both nationally and locally.

The research, carried out by Halcrow for Friends of the Earth and Sustrans shows that both the government and local councils are failing to follow advice given to them by the Committee on Climate Change to introduce public schemes to help lower traffic and car use.

Whilst cars may be a necessity for some people, there are greener options for using and owning a car. If you’re looking to purchase a car you might want to hold off on that brand new Cadillac. The production of new cars adds to carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, used cars however have already paid their carbon debt. Purchasing a fuel-efficient used vehicle could help contribute to reducing our carbon footprint.

Measures advised to the government include schemes to cut traffic, encourage walking and cycling and public transport use, and have already been piloted with success and support from residents in three English towns.


The report shows that sustainable travel is a low priority for many local councils, but Friends of the Earth is calling on the government and local councils to prioritise more on sustainable travel and smarter travel options.

Transport Campaigner Richard Dyer said: “Government at all levels must ensure that funding provided for sustainable travel is at least that in the pilot project towns”

This month is International Walk To School Month and will see more than 40 countries encouraging their pupils to walk to school rather than joining in on the school run.

Calling on the government to prioritise on sustainable travel is not the only option; it is in the hands of the public to make better transport choices and work towards lessening their own carbon footprints.