The EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell has reminded Georgian citizens that today is World Car Free Day and encouraged them to leave their cars at home for just one day.
He said that 70% of air pollution is caused by cars and trucks in Georgia, while in its capital city of Tbilisi the number is even higher, making up for approximately 90% of total pollution.
The idea of this day is to take a moment and reflect on the future of our cities and towns, and how to make them greener, calmer and more healthy places to live in", said Hartzell.
On #CarFreeDay let's take a moment to reflect on the future of our cities and towns. Clean air is a key priority for us, both in the #EU and in #Georgia. We will continue to invest in sustainable transport to help improve air quality.https://t.co/53dztqWU6P pic.twitter.com/kb1YThF74Y
— Carl Hartzell (@CarlHartzellEU) September 22, 2021
To clean up the air is a key objective of the European Union, both within the EU itself and here in Georgia. We have been working in Georgia for many years to this end and our ambition remains high, including plans to invest in further equipment to better control air pollution", said Hartzell.
He added that the EU will continue to invest in more sustainable transport alternatives in Georgia 'to allow all of us to breathe cleaner air and lead healthier lives'.