Why Active Travel?
The European Green Deal frames Europe’s response to challenges faced in relation to climate change. It commits to reaching targets by 2030 and 2050. The Green Deal also aligns with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
The Climate Action Plan 2021 reflects Irelands commitment to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as committed to in the Programme for Government and set out in the Climate Act 2021. In turn the Plan will put us on the path to achieving our goals for 2050.
The Plan, which will be updated annually, outlines the steps required to enable a radical, equitable transformation in how we travel over the next nine years as we move towards a fully decarbonised transport sector.
One of the key focus areas in relation to transport is:
Sustainable Mobility – helping people choose sustainable options and delivering 500,000 additional daily public transport and active travel journeys, a 14% increase.
Governments Commitment
The “Programme for Government - Our Shared Future” (2020), sets out a commitment to a fundamental change in the nature of transport in Ireland and that every effort is made by the Government to make active travel better and more accessible. There is a commitment to deliver a five-year, multi-annual funding programme and a continued coordinated approach between central government, local authorities, and agencies to deliver on this strategy.
- The Programme for Government has committed €1.8bn toward the development of active travel over 5 years (2021 – 2026)
- National Development Plan reflects the ambitions of Government in the area of active travel for the next decade
- Promoting active travel is recognised in the National Planning Framework which sets out a vision for development over the next 20 years
On behalf of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the management of the Transport Investment Programme - Sustainable Transport Measures Grant and the Safe Routes to School Programme. These Programmes aim to develop high quality walking and cycling facilities to encourage more people to switch to active travel. Projects funded under the Programmes will aim to connect communities, workplaces, schools and make walking, scooting and cycling attractive, safe and accessible to everyone.