Mobility is an important prerequisite for a well functioning society. If Switzerland wishes to develop sustainably, the transport sector in particular faces major challenges.

While mobility improves quality of life for many individuals, it can also limit quality of life for others. The continuously increasing volumes of traffic are also associated with negative consequences such as traffic jams, accidents, noise pollution, air pollution and the emission of greenhouse gases.

It is precisely this trend in CO₂ emissions that shows that mobility is not developing sustainably in Switzerland. While emissions from fuels providing energy are approaching the reduction targets set by the Kyoto protocol, the trend in fuels used to power vehicles is going in the opposite direction. In total, 44 percent of Swiss CO₂ emissions in 2009 came from traffic. There is therefore great pressure to act in the area of mobility.

As well as taking into account ecological aspects, sustainable mobility is also about giving everyone access to clean and efficient transport options. The World Business Council for Sustainable Development summarises the situation by saying, «Our mobility systems have to become more efficient, more equitable, more technologically advanced, and less environmentally and socially disruptive – and greater rather than reduced mobility.»