Road accidents, air pollution causing more deaths - Erik Solheim

The Head of U.N Environment Programme, Erik Solheim, says more people are dying through road accidents and air pollution in the 21st century than malaria in the 20th century. 

He said in view of this, African governments should invest in proper city planning while constructing new roads, making provision for bikes and pedestrian walk ways.

Mr Solheim was addressing experts attending the African Mobility week in Nairobi, Kenya.

41 government officials from Africa, private sector, civil society organizations and development partners are in Nairobi this week to explore ways of achieving cleaner mobility across the continent. 

The week dubbed "Africa Clean Mobility" is being held against the background that the continent is experiencing unprecedented motorization rate spurred by high rate urbanization and economic growth. As a result, most countries are not able to plan and provide adequate transport infrastructure and services. 

At the same time they are not taking advantage of technological advancement being witnessed in other regions to improve the energy efficiency and reduce emissions from vehicles.

The Head, UN Environment, Erik Solheim said air pollution and road accidents have killed more people than malaria in the past twenty years.

He said investing in road infrastructure and switching to electric vehicles will not only address the problem but also lead to the attainment of the Paris Agreement of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to two degrees Celsius. 

U.N Environment's Electric Mobility Programme focuses on the introduction of electric vehicles in developing and transitional countries based on three pillars. They are Electric 2&3 wheelers like bikes and tricycles, Electric light duty vehicles and Electric buses.

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