Global leaders look to cut transportation emissions

International banks have announced their support for cleaner transportation systems and have promised to invest $175 billion over the next 10 years.

A result of an international summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the investment is a commitment to reduce global greenhouse gases. Cars and trucks represent the fastest-growing source of pollutants in the world.

"These unprecedented commitments have the promise to save hundreds of thousands of lives by cleaning the air and making roads safer; cutting congestion in hundreds of cities; and reducing the contribution of transportation to harmful climate change," Joan Clos, executive director of U.N.-HABITAT, told Reuters.

Many governments have taken independent steps to protect the environment with tougher regulations. Canada recently announced it is expanding its ecoTECHNOLOGY for Vehicles Program to test advanced technology for vehicles. Apart from regulations and new technology, improved efficiency can also help reduce emissions.

Cities that work to streamline their transportation logistics can lower their environmental impact, as well as their costs. Detroit recently announced it will be tracking and monitoring its buses as a way to reduce delays in the city's transportation system. The program will hopefully improve efficiency and require the city to run fewer routes, thus saving on gas and maintenance while lowering pollutants.

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