Zero-Emissions Public Transport in Oslo

 

Zero-Emissions Public Transport in Oslo

Let's start at the beginning– Oslo has always been at the top of its game when it comes

to sustainability. In fact, after decades of legislation and green initiatives such as its own

climate budget, investments in EVs and bicycling infrastructure, and financial incentives

to make sustainable choices, Oslo was awarded the title of European Green Capital in

2019. Oslo's public transport system is efficient and well-connected. In fact, it has an

extensive network of tram and bike lanes and has already electrified ferries. However,

its bus network had been mostly diesel-based until 2023.

The 'Climate Strategy for Oslo towards 2030' lists walking, cycling, and public transport

as Oslo’s future first choices for transportation. It also aims for all passenger cars on

Oslo’s roads to be emission-free by 2030. Public transport, port operations, and traffic

on the fjord must be emission-free in 2028. This choice entails replacing the city's

diesel-fuelled buses with 450 electric ones. The city's legislators are confident that this

500 million crown (€48 million) programme will save the city money over the long term,

resulting in a win-win situation for the government and the citizens of Oslo (since it is

5% cheaper to operate and use electric buses instead of diesel-fueled ones).

This step is part of a larger plan, including initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas

emissions by ninety-five percent compared to 2009, become more climate resistant,

strengthen the city's ability to withstand climate change, and develop to prepare for

expected climate-related changes until 2100. There are also ongoing initiatives to

protect vegetation and soil, and strengthen the area's natural carbon sinks by increasing

forested land and green spaces.

Additionally, the city's needs beyond climate, like improved quality of life, public health and human-friendly urban development, will be met via better air quality, less congestion, and better road traffic safety – and that's not even counting the significant health benefits of increased walking and cycling. Investing in infrastructure that supports and enables healthier choices thus benefits the environment and those living in it. In

fact, urban sociologist Jane Jacobs argues that a city's walkability – the ease with which one can travel within the city by walking – can strengthen community cohesion, improve mental health, and counteract the harmful effects of sedentary jobs and isolation.

If Oslo's actions in the context of the global climate crisis teach us anything, it's that humans have held a transactional relationship with the environment for far too long. This is because we remove ourselves from its other components like wildlife, vegetation, and water, and we fail to see that these individual components affect each other (and us) multi-directionally. In order to build a happier, healthier society, legislation that helps the environment is of paramount importance. We have to start from the ground up – literally.

– Nayana Vachharajani