In Cabo Verde, according to the most recent national inventory of greenhouse gas emissions, it is estimated that land transport is responsible for around 20 per cent of total emissions.

A large part of these emissions could be avoided if measures were adopted to promote soft mobility for travelling short distances.

Soft mobility is defined as active or human-powered mobility. Forms of soft mobility include walking, cycling, skateboarding, running and rollerblading. But in some contexts, the terms can also refer to all environmentally friendly means of transport, such as electric scooters, electric bicycles and electric cars.

There are many advantages to soft mobility. The associated physical activity improves health and reduces rates of obesity and diabetes. It also works as a great alternative to fossil-fuelled vehicles. This means that choosing soft mobility helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It also reduces the volume of traffic, resulting in fewer traffic jams, greater safety and calmer urban centres with more space for people to move around.