Kazakhstan adopts Austrian practices of eco-driving
The conference was organized by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management under the Transport, Health and Environment Pan-European Programme (THE PEP) in order to introduce the best Austrian practices in implementing the national "green mobility" policy to the global community.
The «Klima: aktiv mobil» programme is very popular in Austria and is developing rapidly due to its indisputable advantages: the reduction of fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and operating costs as well as more comfort and safety for passengers. More than 4900 climate and environmentally friendly mobility projects have achieved an annual reduction of 570,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year, the UNDP Kazakhstan said. The programme of the event combined both theory and practice. Following the presentation, highlighting the major achievements of the " Klima: aktiv mobil 2020" strategy and the award ceremony of its partners among Austrian companies, cities and municipalities, the conference featured expert sessions on mobility management at the municipal level , the development of youth and school mobility, electro mobility, and promotion of cycling and walking. During the practical part of the conference, participants have experienced eco-driving by car and by bus and have tested e-vehicles. Yelena Yerzakovich, the manager of the UNDP-GEF Project "City of Almaty Sustainable Transport», and an active participant of the conference, noted that innovative character of the «Klima: aktiv mobil» programme is largely determined by the governmental financial support. The support is provided to partners that consider launching various creative projects targeting the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from transport both on the local and national levels. Moreover, during the conference, the representatives of Almaty city authorities have visited «Wienen Linien», an Austrian municipal public transport operator. The Austrian company experts shared their knowledge and experience of public transportation management in Vienna. Underlining the importance of the experience, Mr. Iliyn, the deputy Akim of Almaty city, has said: "Observing so many citizens that prefer public transportation and bicycles to private cars is nothing extraordinary in the city with well-developed infrastructure. There is still a lot to be done in Kazakhstan to achieve the same level. However, I think, there is a lot that we can adopt from Austrian experience". Concluding the conference, participants have also discussed the perspectives of partnerships development within the initiative related to eco-driving and cycling. At the session, the organizers have shared their plan to conduct the first training on eco-driving in Almaty city on 1-4 of April in partnership with the UNDP-GEF Project "City of Almaty Sustainable Transport". The training will gather instructors from the city driving schools, taxi services and municipal transport fleet. Participants will attend theoretical and practical sessions led by Austrian master-trainers. The Round Table aiming to discuss perspectives and strategies of the eco-driving imitative development in Kazakhstan will conclude the event.
