Toward zero carbon with environmentally friendly transport modes

Abstract

The rapid growth of cities, the increase and distribution of population and building intensity, the increase in vehicle ownership, and related to these, Earth's surface turning into built areas, rapidly increases energy consumption (which is not apparent but is vitally important) and also increases the production of carbon. For the cities of the world to have a sustainable future and be resilient, they must move toward Zero Carbon Emissions, developing strategies and starting implementation as soon as possible. The aim of this paper is to change the focus of reduction efforts to cities, specifically focusing upon transportation. Carbon, activated carbon, carbon footprints, and the reduction of carbon production in line with the Kyoto Protocol will be examined in terms of transportation issues. International studies on zero carbon emissions will be examined within the context of transportation. The place of environmentally friendly transport modes and their links will be discussed, especially in Chicago city center and in Masdar City, currently being built in Abu Dhabi (construction will be finished by the end of 2020). Recommendations highlight the importance of these discussions on the future of humanity. © 2012 WIT Press.