Worldwide levels of CO2 emissions hugely depend on the mode of transportation. According to research, road transport is accountable for more than seventy-five percent of the transport emissions. These come mainly from cars and buses which comprising 45.1%. Trucks that carry goods have 29.4% of this total amount. Total emissions from transportation account for 21% whereas three-quarters are from road transportation, therefore; road transport alone contributes about 15% towards whole CO2 emissions (our world in data, 2020).
As cities become more and more congested and demand for sustainable urban mobility grows, businesses and governments feel the need for greener commuting options. The Netherlands, noted for its progressive environmental laws, is particularly concerned with decreasing the environmental impact of transportation. With approximately 28 million daily trips in the country (CBS, 2023), reducing traffic congestion and the carbon footprint of transportation has become a top issue.
Another important reason increasing the demand for services like ColiRide application is urbanization. By the end of 2030, 61% of the global population is predicted to live in cities (United Nations, 2018). While cities become more populated, the limitations on infrastructure increases, resulting in increased levels of air pollution and a lower quality of life. In the Netherlands, cities such as Amsterdam have seen considerable increases in traffic congestion over the last decade, costing businesses millions of dollars in lost productivity and adding to the country’s environmental problems (Open Research Amsterdam, 2024) (World Highways, 2018).
In line with international agreements like the European Union’s Green Deal, the Netherlands is committed to reduce its carbon emissions by 49% by the end of 2030 (NL Government, 2019). With programs like the Climate Agreement advocating for a move away from private cars use and toward more environmentally friendly choices like public transportation, bicycles, and car sharing initiatives, this ambitious aim puts the transportation industry under special focus. Cities like Utrecht and Amsterdam have implemented policies that motivate people for carpooling and shared mobility options. These policies include the establishment of carpool lanes to alleviate traffic during peak hours and tax benefits for businesses that promote sustainable commuting practices (Rijkswaterstaat Environment, 2024).
In addition, Dutch businesses are now more and more incorporating sustainable mobility initiatives in their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) guidelines. Recently, the Dutch government has defined a new regulation that requires firms with 250 or more employees to report their employees work-related mobility CO2 emissions beginning in June, 2024. This strategy is part of the national Climate Agreement, which tries to cut carbon emissions by 49% by the end of 2030. To reach emission reduction objectives, the project encourages companies to implement sustainable commuting habits such as carpooling, flexible work arrangements, and the use of public transportation. This reporting is expected to encourage businesses to reduce their transportation-related carbon impact (EU Urban Mobility Observatory, 2024).
Even with advancements in cycling infrastructure and public transportation, workers still face several obstacles, especially those who commute from rural or suburban locations. In the Netherlands, public transportation coverage has been declining, especially in less urbanized areas, making it increasingly difficult for people to go to work and vital services like schools and hospitals.
The Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL) found that public transportation in rural regions and on the outskirts of cities has deteriorated, particularly during the evenings and weekends. This has made commuting more inconvenient, with many low-educated workers having difficulty getting to work due to the limited public transportation alternatives in these locations. The migration of many facilities from rural to urban areas has worsened the problem, resulting to widening gaps between those who drive and those who do not (NL Times, 2024).
Approximately 70% of all journeys in the Netherlands were made by car (as driver or passenger) (KiM Netherlands Institute for Transport Policy Analysis, 2024). Rising fuel costs, along with the increasing cost of car ownership due to environmental taxes, have further heightened the financial burden on individual commuters.
Furthermore, recent surveys have shown that traditional modes of transportation are becoming increasingly unpopular. Many employees have voiced a need for more adaptable, affordable, and ecologically responsible commuting options. Carpooling platforms like as ColiRide can help by providing a flexible alternative that lowers expenses and emissions while improving the overall commute experience.
ColiRide offers an innovative,
scalable solution to the pressing issues faced by both companies and employees.
By facilitating organized carpooling within and across companies located in the
same region or campus, ColiRide can significantly reduce the number of vehicles
on the road. This reduction directly impacts congestion, lowers parking space
requirements, and decreases CO2 emissions. Recent studies show that carpooling
could reduce vehicle numbers on the road by up to 30-40%, translating to
significant reductions in carbon emissions and fuel consumption (IEA, 2009).
Furthermore, ColiRide’s platform
offers companies the ability to track CO2 savings, providing valuable data that
aligns with CSR goals and compliance with environmental regulations. As
companies in the Netherlands aim to meet their sustainability targets, ColiRide
provides a practical tool to support these objectives. The platform’s
flexibility, allowing for customization according to specific corporate needs,
enhances its appeal to employers looking to make tangible improvements in their
sustainability efforts.
Globally, shared mobility and carpooling is getting popular as an important part of sustainable and greener urban transportation. Carpooling services like as BlaBlaCar and Karos have changed the way of commuting in European cities such as Paris, Lyon, and Madrid, results in reducing traffic congestion and emissions (BlaBlaCar, 2023; Karos Mobility, 2024). According to a recent report, McKinsey & Co believes that shared transportation will account for up to 20% of passenger kilometers in European countries by the end of 2030 (McKinsey & Company, 2023).
Furthermore, global initiatives and agreements such as the Paris Agreement and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) emphasize the role of sustainable transportation in combatting climate change. ColiRide’s approach fits into these larger worldwide efforts, encouraging shared mobility as an important component of the future of urban transportation.
BlaBla Car. (2023). Declaration of Extra-Financial Performance 2022. Paris: BlaBla Car.
CBS. (2023). Mobility; per person, modes of travel, purposes of travel and regions.
EU Urban Mobility Observatory. (2024). Dutch employers to report work-related mobility starting from 2024. Retrieved from EU Urban Mobility Observatory: https://urban-mobility-observatory.transport.ec.europa.eu/news-events/news/dutch-employers-report-work-related-mobility-starting-2024-2023-08-04_en
IEA. (2009). Transport, Energy, and CO2 – Moving Toward Sustainability. France: IEA.
Karos Mobility. (2024). Karos Mobility’s impact at a glance. Retrieved from Karos Mobility: https://www.karos-mobility.com/project/
KiM Netherlands Institute for Transport Policy Analysis. (2024). Mobility Report 2023. KiM Netherlands Institute for Transport Policy Analysis. Retrieved from KiM Netherlands Institute for Transport Policy Analysis.
McKinsey & Company. (2023). Shared mobility: Sustainable cities, shared destinies. Retrieved from McKinsey & Company: https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/automotive-and-assembly/our-insights/shared-mobility-sustainable-cities-shared-destinies
NL Government. (2019). Climate Agreement. Retrieved from NL Government: https://www.government.nl/documents/reports/2019/06/28/climate-agreement
NL Times. (2024). Public transport deteriorating; Work, facilities less accessible by train, bus: PBL. Retrieved from NL Times: https://nltimes.nl/2024/09/26/public-transport-deteriorating-work-facilities-less-accessible-train-bus-pbl
Open Research Amsterdam. (2024). Smart Urban Mobility (MADE Collection). Retrieved from Open Research Amsterdam: https://openresearch.amsterdam/en/page/79494/smart-urban-mobility-made-collection
our world in data. (2020). Cars, planes, trains: where do CO₂ emissions from transport come from? Retrieved from our world in data: https://ourworldindata.org/co2-emissions-from-transport#:~:text=Since%20the%20entire%20transport%20sector,of%20total%20CO2%20emissions.
Rijkswaterstaat Environment. (2024). Fact sheet Car sharing. Retrieved from Rijkswaterstaat Environment: https://rwsenvironment.eu/subjects/sustainable-mobility/toolbox-smart-mobility-management/car/map/fact-sheet-car-sharing/
United Nations. (2018). 68% of the world population projected to live in urban areas by 2050. Retrieved from United Nations: https://www.un.org/uk/desa/68-world-population-projected-live-urban-areas-2050-says-un
World Highways. (2018). Netherlands traffic congestion increasing. Retrieved from World Highways: https://www.worldhighways.com/wh12/news/netherlands-traffic-congestion-increasing
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