[Although this plan is designed to counteract pollution in Amsterdam, the measures that they are taking could also be useful for cities looking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions levels and generally encourage different transportation choices.
For more information about Low Emissions Zones in Europe, see http://www.lowemissionzones.eu/.
This is an EXCERPT: read the whole article here. -Ed.]

Plan to bar vehicles more than 15 years old aimed at cleaning up air for citizens
by Jurgen Van De Pol

"The anti-pollution measures bring the Dutch capital into line with Berlin and other German cities that introduced a system on Jan. 1 requiring vehicles to carry a badge certifying their level of exhaust emissions. The Swedish city of Malmö also operates an 'emission zone,' while London, which has the dirtiest air in Britain, on Feb. 4 imposed a $388 charge on the most polluting trucks to improve health."

"Parking tariffs will be raised throughout the city, with discounts for less polluting cars such as gasoline-electric hybrid cars. The city will reward the 20,000 citizens who drive their older, polluting cars to the scrap yard with subsidies of as much as 1,500 euros."

"The plans include expanding the use of trams that carry cargo and deploying barges to ply the waterways of the inner city supplying stores and companies. The council also plans to operate trams and buses beyond midnight and introduce free indoor bike parking."

Photo credit: Jocelyn Aubert