The future of sustainable mobility

Transport is the main contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in Spain. According to the Ministry for Ecological Transition, in 2022 this sector generated 30.7% of total emissions, with road transport accounting for 28.4%. This environmental pressure places mobility at the heart of the debate on the future of cities and forces us to rethink how we move around on a daily basis. In Catalonia, the transition to a cleaner and more efficient mobility model is progressing steadily, although it still suffers from territorial inequalities, connectivity deficits, and a strong dependence on private vehicles. The new law

The approval this October of the new sustainable mobility law represents a decisive step forward in providing Spain with a stable legal framework that guides transport policies towards a cleaner, safer, and more inclusive model. For the first time, the law recognizes mobility as a citizen's right and is structured around four fundamental pillars: universal accessibility, decarbonization, digitalization, and participatory governance. This approach aims to ensure that everyone, regardless of their place of residence or economic situation, can travel safely, affordably, and sustainably. The law will also have a direct impact on businesses. Those with more than 200 employees per center (or 100 per shift) will be required to develop sustainable workplace mobility plans, with measures that promote active mobility—such as walking or cycling—carpooling, public transport, or teleworking. The final approval of the legislation, which still needs to pass through the Senate, is key to accessing nearly €10 billion in Next Generation EU funds. From a city of cars to a city of people

According to David Balbàs, an urban planning expert and coordinator of the School of Sustainable Mobility, "the big leap is not technological, but cultural and political: we have to put people at the center, not vehicles." He recalls that Catalonia was already a pioneer with its own mobility law in 2003, but warns that "inertia is still very strong and many politicians avoid bold decisions for fear of the electoral cost." However, Balbàs considers the approval of the new law a positive and necessary step: "The regulatory framework is fundamental to transforming our mobility systems, and this law is a first step in this direction." Nevertheless, the expert himself acknowledges that the text is late and may prove insufficient in some aspects. "It has taken twenty-two years since the first Catalan law to have a national law. Now everything will depend on how and when the actions it foresees are implemented," he points out. Progress is visible

In cities, private vehicles are becoming increasingly less important. In Barcelona, ​​two out of every three journeys (67.5%) are made using sustainable modes of transport – walking, public transport, scooters, or bicycles – according to the Metropolitan Transport Authority (ATM). Furthermore, 61% of residents in the Barcelona area report being regular users of public transport – one million more than two years ago. According to the ATM's 2024 report, these figures are driven by the convenience, the difficulty of parking a private vehicle, and the lower cost of public transport. Public transport pricing policies, including discounts implemented since September 2022, are also a significant incentive. Bicing, Barcelona's public bike-sharing service, has reached a record 8,000 bikes in circulation, 5,000 of which are electric, and the network is being expanded with new stations to reach more parts of the city. Furthermore, Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) continues to renew its fleet: the goal is for half of its buses to be zero-emission by 2030. Today, one in four vehicles is already electric or powered by green hydrogen. The electric car: necessary, but insufficient

Electric vehicles have become the visible symbol of the ecological transition, but Balbàs warns that "electric cars reduce local emissions but don't solve the underlying problem: space, congestion, and energy dependence. Electrification alone isn't enough: the energy must come from renewable sources, and the total number of vehicles on the road must be reduced. Currently, only 19% of the electricity consumed in Catalonia is from renewable sources, according to data from the Renewable Energy Observatory of Catalonia. The goal for 2030 is to reach 50% of this figure."

The bicycle: an engine of urban change.

The Bicycle Club of Catalonia (BACC) emphasizes that it's not so much about building more bike lanes as ensuring that existing lanes are safe and well-designed. "It's not a question of quantity, but of quality," the organization points out.

Every trip made by bicycle saves polluting emissions and helps reduce urban congestion. However, the BACC insists that the benefit goes far beyond the environment, as it directly impacts people's health and well-being: "Cycling is preventative public health, as it reduces pollution, improves quality of life, and saves on healthcare costs."

Beyond the metropolitan area

One of the remaining challenges of the transition is ensuring that sustainable mobility reaches the entire territory, not just large urban centers. In many Catalan regions, the lack of reliable and frequent public transport forces citizens to rely on private cars for transportation. Adding to this situation is the poor performance of the commuter rail network, which remains one of the weak points of the Catalan mobility system. In the first half of 2025 alone, the commuter rail network suffered 175 severe disruptions affecting more than one million passengers, according to the Catalan Government's Department of Territory. Constant delays, cancellations, and a lack of investment fuel user distrust, leading many to return to private vehicles out of necessity. A new culture of mobility

"The data is clear: the future lies in fewer vehicles, more public transport, and more active travel. But above all, it requires a collective shift in mindset that puts people and the health of the planet at the heart of public policy," the expert points out.