Over 76 600 people would be employed in green and healthy transport every year and 10 000 lives would be saved if major European cities^[1]reached the cycling modal share of Copenhagen. This is the conclusion of a new publication released today by UNECE and the WHO Regional Office for Europe.

The new findings are released on the occasion of the Fourth High-level Meeting on Transport, Health and Environment, organized by UNECE and the WHO Regional Office for Europe and hosted by France. On 14–16 April 2014, European ministries of transport, health and the environment gathering in Paris will examine how innovative transport policies can create employment opportunities, along with healthier and greener societies.

“An efficient transport system is vital for the functioning of modern economies. However, transport can greatly damage environment and health. That is why we call for a bold Paris Declaration, urging government investments in green and healthy transport,” says Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe. “The pay-offs from these investments are enormous and include new jobs and healthier people from more physical activity, fewer road traffic injuries, less noise and better air quality.”

“Transport, health and environment form a dynamic nexus of vitality and mobility in our cities, presenting a formidable challenge for sustainability, but also great opportunities for a better quality of life,” says Eva Molnar, Director, Transport Division, UNECE, speaking on behalf of Michael Møller, Acting Executive Secretary of UNECE. “The Fourth High-level Meeting calls on Member States, civil society and local and regional authorities to support the future vision of THE PEP [Transport, Health and Environment Pan-European Programme]: ‘Green and healthy mobility and transport for sustainable livelihoods for all’.”

Transport provides jobs and access to leisure activities and livelihoods. On the other hand, the overall costs associated with the environmental and health impacts of transport can be up to 4% of a country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

In the WHO European Region outdoor air pollution, largely caused by traffic, results in almost 500 000 deaths annually, according to new evidence. Road accidents kill 90 000 people prematurely each year. Exposure to excessive street noise affects almost 70 million people. Transport adds 24% to total greenhouse gas emissions in Europe and North America. When it discourages physical activity, transport contributes to nearly 1 million deaths per year.

The Danish capital, Copenhagen, is one of the leaders for cycling in Europe; it is only rivalled by Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Of all city trips, 26% are undertaken by bicycle. This level is much higher than in most other cities in the region.

A simple methodology estimated that 76 600 additional jobs might be created if one major city in each country achieved the same cycling modal share as Copenhagen. People would be locally employed in bicycle retail and maintenance, provision of clothing and accessories for cyclists, urban development and new mobility schemes; they would help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and health risks and would support the local economy (Table 1).