The World Economic Forum (WEF) has released a bold new proposal calling for a massive reduction in the number of cars on the road around the world. Their target? Cutting global car ownership by 75% by the year 2050.
That would mean dropping the number of personal vehicles from around 1.45 billion today to just 500 million in the next few decades.
A Push for “Sustainable Urban Mobility”
The idea comes from a white paper titled The Urban Mobility Scorecard Tool: Benchmarking the Transition to Sustainable Urban Mobility, co-written by the WEF and Visa. The paper suggests that cities should start limiting the use of private vehicles to reduce emissions and promote other forms of transport like public transit, electric vehicles, and shared mobility services.
At the heart of the plan is a new tool called the Urban Mobility Scorecard. This scorecard is designed to track how well a city is doing in shifting towards:
- Shared transportation (like buses, subways, or rideshares)
- Electric vehicles
- Connected and automated transport systems
The goal? Making city travel cleaner and more efficient—at least, according to the WEF.
Pilot Cities Already Involved
Three cities—Buenos Aires (Argentina), Curitiba (Brazil), and Singapore—have already tested out the WEF’s Urban Mobility Scorecard. The paper highlights these cities as examples of what sustainable urban travel could look like.
For instance, the WEF praises Buenos Aires for working to improve transport that’s more connected and environmentally friendly.
Big Promises, Few Details
The WEF claims that cities adopting its plan could see a 95% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions related to transportation. However, the paper doesn’t offer much in the way of hard data or detailed studies to back up that number.
The WEF also stresses that making this shift would require strong public-private partnerships—in other words, cooperation between governments and major corporations.
“No one city, or one company, can achieve this vision alone,” the paper says. “Together, we can build sustainable solutions for urban mobility.”
A Glimpse Into a Future Without Cars?
This new plan aligns with a broader WEF vision that includes smart cities, reduced consumption, and their famous (or infamous) 2030 goal: “You’ll own nothing and be happy.”
The document paints a picture of cities where most people rely on shared transportation or walkable neighborhoods—sometimes referred to as “15-minute cities”, where everything you need is a short walk or bike ride away.
Critics argue that this vision could limit personal freedom and mobility, especially if owning a car becomes harder or more expensive.
What Comes Next?
Whether the WEF’s ambitious car-reduction target gains traction remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: global discussions about climate change, emissions, and urban development are only getting louder.
And if this plan moves forward, it could change how we all move—from daily commutes to weekend road trips.
Source: https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/wef-document-calls-for-limiting-priva…
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