The Ethio-Green Mobility 2024 Exhibition and Symposium highlights sustainable transportation solutions, electric vehicles, and green technologies in Ethiopia. Such occasions often bring together industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders to discuss innovations, share knowledge, and form collaborations to promote environmentally friendly mobility solutions.
For a variety of reasons, environmentally sustainable modes of transportation are critical in Ethiopia. It improves air quality in Ethiopia’s urban areas. For example, automobile emissions cause severe air pollution in Addis Ababa.
The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and other sustainable modes of transportation can improve air quality and reduce pollution-related health hazards. Furthermore, expanding ecologically friendly transportation options helps to minimize climate change. Ethiopia is extremely sensitive to the effects of climate change, such as droughts and floods. Hence, green mobility solutions can help the government reach its climate objectives while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to global efforts to combat climate change.
Furthermore, implementing green mobility solutions is important to ensure energy independence. Many vehicles now rely on fossil fuels, which are volatile in price and quantity. Ethiopia can improve its energy independence and security by investing in electric vehicles and renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.
Encouraging green mobility contributes to the country’s economic development by creating jobs in production, maintenance, and infrastructure development. It can also promote innovation and investment in clean technology. Furthermore, as urbanization increases, cities must create sustainable transportation systems to reduce congestion and maintain efficient mobility.
Environmentally friendly transportation options can improve people’s lives. Climate change causes not only recurring droughts but also public health problems. This, in turn, necessitates a reduction in reliance on fossil fuel-powered cars, which can lead to decreased incidence of respiratory diseases and other health problems related to air pollution. This can enhance public health outcomes and lower healthcare costs.
According to reports, Ethiopia has a diverse range of biodiversity and unique ecosystems. As a result, sustainable transportation solutions can help to reduce biodiversity loss and pollution, as well as safeguard natural resources for future generations.
Taking these and other challenges into account, the Ministry of Transport and Logistics organized the Ethio-Green Mobility 2024 Exhibition and Symposium from November 22 to 29, 2024. The conference and exhibition were hosted in Addis Ababa’s Huanjan Industrial Park and were attended by a large number of individuals, including heads of numerous ministries and institutions, local and regional officials, and international institutions that are key stakeholders in electric vehicles and infrastructure.
The Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority was among the attendees at the expo. The Authority’s varied activities include coordinating and assisting in the execution of the country’s green economy policy through research and technology transfer assignments. Here, how green mobility solutions help to mitigate climate change and safeguard the environment is the most essential question that needs to be asked.
According to Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority Director General Lelise Neme, climate change, and environmental pollution pose greater hazards to human life and lifestyle than ever before. Although the crisis affects the entire world, countries with low economic development are more vulnerable and affected. To lessen their susceptibility, countries are developing policies and measures. As a result, they are all working to solve the world’s climate change challenges.
Ethiopia, as a part of the world and a developing country, is extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Recognizing this, the country has been working to develop and implement a green economy strategy that can withstand the effects of climate change, she stated.
She remarked that the development of green transportation and logistics infrastructure at the national level is important for maintaining a sustainable green economy that can withstand the effects of climate change and pollution.
As a country, Ethiopia is doing a lot to avert climate change. Among other things, encouraging and supporting green transportation is worth noting. As a result, the transportation and logistics industry is making success by utilizing power and encouraging non-motorized transportation. Accordingly, the exhibition demonstrates Ethiopia’s realistic response to climate change by encouraging and supporting green transportation.
She added that using electric vehicles, which are presented in the exhibition, may greatly reduce carbon emissions, improve traffic flow in cities, and promote a healthy lifestyle for the community. Ethiopia’s attempts to promote green transportation services by harnessing its renewable energy potential highlight the country’s commitment to tackling climate change.
More importantly, visitors to the exhibition will see modern, new works developed by the automobile sector in the fields of green transportation, charging devices, and related technology items. This is critical because it allows the general public, government, corporate groups, legislators, and others to better grasp the country’s potential for electric vehicle production and charging. She emphasized the importance of inspiring individuals to participate in the area.
Furthermore, the usage of electric vehicles has an important role in reducing air pollution, which is harmful to the environment, particularly in developing countries. As a result, what is given in the exhibition and symposiums on ecologically friendly solutions can serve as a model for other African countries seeking to minimize climate change, she stated.
She also added that the cycle lanes built in conjunction with the corridor development present an excellent chance to promote the sector and environmentally friendly mobility transportation solutions. It also demonstrates Ethiopia’s potential for renewable energy generation and the expansion of ecologically friendly mobility solutions.
In general, ecologically friendly transportation solutions are critical to Ethiopia’s health sector, economic growth, environmental sustainability, and resilience to climate change. Ethiopia’s efforts to reduce reliance on nonrenewable energy in the transportation sector by utilizing its abundant renewable energy resources are prominently displayed in the exhibition, which is important for supporting the transition to green mobility, particularly in the transport and logistics sectors.
It also demonstrates Ethiopia’s commitment to transitioning to green transportation by effectively utilizing its renewable energy resources to address climate change problems. Furthermore, the exhibition is expected to provide a chance to highlight Ethiopia’s commitment to sustainable mobility and efforts to develop a climate-resilient green economy.
BY EPHREM ANDARGACHEW
The Ethiopian Herald December 1/2024
