The climate change situation is serious as average global atmospheric and sea-surface temperatures rise and extreme weather events increase, which threatens both livelihoods and wildlife. In the transport sector, the climate protection targets have not yet been achieved. On the contrary: carbon dioxide emissions have remained virtually unchanged in decades. To mitigate the consequences of climate change, much greater efforts are needed, and faster. The State’s target is to reduce transport-related CO2 emissions by 55 percent by 2030 compared with 1990 levels, and to reach climate neutrality by 2040.
To achieve this target by 2030, more cars need to be powered by renewable energy and more freight must be transported by climate neutral means. In addition, the use of public transport must be doubled, car traffic must decrease and more trips must be done walking or by bike.
The transformation of the transport sector is a significant challenge. The Ministry of Transport is therefore supporting the region’s citizens, the municipalities and companies in this transformative effort. In doing so, it is important to set out clearly who is responsible for implementing which climate protection measures. The Mobility and Climate Concept defines these responsibilities and the financial aspects of implementation as well as setting out the timeline for these.
Objectives of the Mobility and Climate Concept
The purpose of the Mobility and Climate Concept is to define measures which – once implemented – contribute towards reaching the climate protection targets.
What the Concept intends to achieve:
- Implementation of the measures at State level and in the municipalities.
- Assurance of mobility for all, regardless of income, disabilities, age, background or gender, through the design of suitable measures.
- Compliance with the different mobility requirements in urban and rural areas.
- Provision of diverse and climate-friendly mobility options for the public as well as for companies.
- Guarantee of an economically efficient use of public and private funds.
Areas of activity of the Mobility and Climate Concept
The Key Issues Paper of the Mobility and Climate Concept, which was adopted by the Council of Ministers in Stuttgart on 8 November 2022, represents an important milestone.
This sets out the most important measures for the transport sector to effectively implement the requirements of the Baden-Württemberg Climate Protection Act (BW CPA). The coalition agreement for Baden-Württemberg gave the mandate to develop this concept. The measures only represent an aggregated selection of actions. The State’s Local Public Transport Strategy for 2030, for instance, already comprises 135 measures.
The Key Issues Paper (PDF) outlines six main areas of activity in line with the five transport sector transformation goals for Baden-Württemberg:
Around 2 million private and around 60,000 to 100,000 public charging points are to be created. The framework is to be developed at federal and EU level to make electric cars cheaper than fossil-powered cars. In addition, regional user benefits shall be provided for these vehicles; for instance, by the creation of zero-emission zones.
For freight transport, favourable competitive conditions in the interests of climate protection are to be created through a truck toll on state and municipal roads. The truck toll intends to protect local trade from rampant online trade and to provide incentives for climate-neutral trucks. Further expansions of the rail infrastructure, sustainable freight transport and effective city logistics are planned; for example, through the use of climate-neutral vehicles.
To reduce car traffic, the road space is to be upgraded, and mobility using sustainable means of transport is to be facilitated and strengthened. Cost-based parking management and car park repurposing will improve the public space. This will encourage more environmentally friendly transport and create more green space and gathering places. Car sharing services subject to high quality standards are to be available throughout the region.
By 2030, the share of trips by bike should have increased from 10 percent to 20 percent and those done walking from 21 percent to 30 percent (compared to 2017). For this purpose, the 8,000 kilometres of Baden-Württemberg’s cycle path network is being brought up to standard with the goal to be completed by 2030. This is to be supplemented by 20 express cycle paths, which are already in the planning process or even initially constructed. A pedestrian-friendly infrastructure for compact cities is being spurred though attractive state funding programmes for municipalities.
Public transport service levels are to be improved and capacities increased. In addition to improving the reliability and travel-time of train and bus travel, a considerable expansion of services, both in terms of timetabled services and frequency, is intended to ensure a reliable service in the region as a whole with regular scheduled services during day-time operating hours and demand-responsive services during off-peak times and/or in sparsely populated areas. Furthermore simple, intuitive and attractive fares should ensure easy access to the local public transport system, thereby rendering the use of local public transport attractive and lowering the entry hurdle for first-time or occasional users.
Furthermore, a transformation of the “Culture of Mobility” as well as comprehensive transport planning are required to enable and support other areas of activity. This applies to e.g. climate mobility plans for cities and districts as well as action plans for small municipalities. At all planning levels, spatial and settlement development should focus on reducing traffic. For the transformation of the transport sector and its planning in particular, it will be necessary to recruit sufficient, suitably qualified personnel.
Involvement of the public
Citizens and stakeholders in Baden-Württemberg were invited to participate in the conceptual development process. They were able to incorporate new suggestions and insights into the Concept to improve its quality, acceptance and implementation. Randomly selected citizens discussed the Concept in a ‘mobility council’. All citizens of Baden-Württemberg were given the opportunity to contribute their ideas, visions and comments online via the State’s participation portal. Associations were also invited to contribute their ideas and recommendations.