Four major cities in the world have announced their decision to ban the use of vehicles powered by diesel by 2025. The supporters of this new advocacy are the mayors of Paris, Mexico City, Athens, and Madrid.
During a biennial meeting of city leaders in Mexico, a proposal to stop the use of diesel vehicles in the aforementioned cities was made. With a goal of fighting air pollution, the leaders stated that incentives will be provided to people who opt for alternative vehicles. City authorities would also promote cycling and walking.
Diesel use has resulted in environmental hazards over the past years. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that approximately three million mortalities annually are associated with exposure to polluted air worsened by vehicle emissions.
Diesel engines result in air pollution in two ways including the production of nitrogen oxides (NOX) and particulate matter (PM). PM can reach the lungs of an individual predisposing the person to fatal health conditions affecting the pulmonary and cardiovascular system. Meanwhile, NOX causes difficulty in respiration.
Mexico City Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera said "It's no secret that in Mexico City, we grapple with the twin problems of air pollution and traffic." He added that expansion of transportation alternatives such as subway systems and bus rapid transport can help in solving the city's problems. He also expressed his desire to invest in the cycling infrastructure "to ease congestion in our roadways and our lungs."
The leader of the initiative, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, said "Mayors have already stood up to say that climate change is one of the greatest challenges we face. Today, we also stand up to say we no longer tolerate air pollution and the health problems and deaths it causes, particularly for our most vulnerable citizens."
In London, campaigners for cleaner environment are asking the leaders of the city to support the termination of the use of diesel vehicles in the area by 2025. Attorney Alan Andrews of ClientEarth said that "In the UK, London's mayor is considering bolder action than his predecessor, proposing an expansion to the planned ultra-low emission zone. This is welcome but we want him to go further and faster."
The commitment of the four mayors to end the use of diesel vehicles in their cities is expected to greatly impact the automobile industry. This will push carmakers to launch improvements to meet the environmental standards set by both the local and global market.