Sustainability

Sustainability has taken on a whole new meaning for me this month.

The True Purpose of Technology

A Green Path Forward for U.S. Sustainable Infrastructure and Urban Mobility

To Future-Proof Our Environment

The parking and mobility industry plays a fundamental role in driving sustainability in transportation. Which parking and mobility innovations are promoting a greener, more sustainable future?

Successful Strategies for Implementing, Measuring, and Reporting Green Initiatives

Forward-Thinking Policies and GPS Tracking

Challenges Facing Electric Vehicle Adoption

Transforming Unused Municipal Space through Collaboration

Vancouver, Canada – PayByPhone, a global leader in mobile parking payments, launches its multi-award-winning Meters for Trees tree-planting initiative in North America. First introduced in the UK in 2019, Meters for Trees offers an innovative and straightforward way to promote mobile parking payments while making a meaningful environmental impact by planting trees. Carmen Donnell, Managing Director North America for PayByPhone, says, “Meters for Trees is a revolutionary initiative that promotes positive and sustainable change, which is perfect to launch ahead of the United Nations’ International Day of Forests and World Planting Day 2025, which takes place on March 21. Thanks to the removal or decommissioning of meters or pay stations, cities, universities, and parking operators can leave a sustainable green legacy for future generations, while at the same time contribute to cleaner air today for local communities and save costs for their operation simply by promoting mobile parking payments.”  Meters for Trees is part of PayByPhone’s broader environmental campaigns, including Green December. Over the past five years, these campaigns have collectively planted over 225,000 trees globally. Under the terms of Meters for Trees, PayByPhone will plant one verified tree on its client’s behalf for every multi-space meter, and one tree for every 10 single-space parking meters in a client’s operation that are removed. Trees will be planted through PayByPhone’s partner, veritree, a data-driven, restorative platform that connects nature-based solutions with mission-driven companies ready to lead the restorative economy. By switching to mobile parking payments, cities, universities and parking operators help improve air quality by eliminating the need for collection and maintenance vehicles, which would otherwise be on the roads collecting cash from parking meters and pay stations, repairing and replacing parts, emitting harmful tailpipe gasses. Greenhouse gases, like CO2, and vehicles, in particular diesel vehicles, which emit particulate matter such as soot and NOx, negatively impact air quality and may exacerbate many respiratory illnesses. Each tree planted through Meters for Trees absorbs CO₂, directly benefitting the local environment by sequestering greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Meters for Trees has been recognized for its environmental efforts, winning 12 international awards to date, including a Global Gold Award at the 2019 Green World Environment Awards in the Carbon Reduction and Local Authorities categories, the Green Champion Award in Carbon Reduction at the 2019 Green Apple Environment Awards, and the Environmental Initiative Award at the 2020 SEAL Business Sustainability Awards. “Implementation of Meters for Trees is uncomplicated, quick and inexpensive. By removing payment hardware in favor of digital parking payments, clients not only eliminate the need for expensive EMV readers but also streamline operations and reduce maintenance costs. At the same time, they can make an immediate impact through supporting reforestation efforts. Best of all, they can make the switch at their own pace, ensuring a seamless transition that fits their needs,” adds Donnell. Oswaldo Tosado, Deputy Director of Allentown Parking Authority, in Pennsylvania, one of the first cities to have implemented Meters for Trees, says, “Partnering with PayByPhone on Meters for Trees is an exciting step toward sustainability. It allows us to drive greater adoption of mobile parking solutions while actively contributing to environmental conservation.” Monica Beltran, Parking Mobility and Sustainability Director City of Coral Gables, says, “Joining PayByPhone’s Meters for Trees is a meaningful way for our city to reinforce what truly sets Coral Gables apart—our lush tree canopy. As a Tree City USA for 40 years and counting, we take immense pride in preserving and enhancing our urban forest.” Chelsea Baker van Drood, Parking Services Program Specialist, City of Olympia, Washington, who signed up to Meters for Trees in 2025, says, “We’re excited to partner with PayByPhone on Meters for Trees as part of our commitment to combating climate change and deforestation. This initiative offers an innovative and easy way to promote mobile parking payments while planting trees and making a meaningful environmental impact.” For more information about Meters for Trees, please visit www.paybyphone.com/meters-for-trees ABOUT PAYBYPHONE We simplify the journeys for millions of people through our smart, intuitive mobile payment technology and exciting features. We work with over 1,400 clients across North America, the UK, France, Germany, Switzerland and Ireland. More than 95 million drivers worldwide have trusted us with their payments to date. To discover how our products and services can elevate your driving experience, please visit www.paybyphone.com. ABOUT VERITREE veritree is a data-driven, restorative platform that connects nature-based solutions with mission-driven companies ready to lead the restorative economy. With on-the-ground monitoring and blockchain verification, veritree improves transparency and trust through data and tools that revitalize ecosystems, strengthen communities, and build climate solutions. veritree scales consumer-centric programs between planting organizations and corporations around the world. veritree's mission is to restore the planet—planting and verifying one billion trees within the decade. For more information, visit veritree.com. Contact: Sarah Claridge Communications Consultant Indaba sarah.claridge@weareindaba.com (+44) 207 692 4964

Hello, IPMI Community! Parking & Mobility magazine seeks parking, transportation, and mobility professionals interested in authoring our standing monthly columns. You do not need to be a writer; you just need to be a thought leader! I am happy to work closely with those who want to share their expertise but may not be confident writers.  Columns that are still available for 2025 magazine editions include: Business of Parking - Marketing/BD Marketing and business development experts from inside and outside the parking and mobility community provide expertise on topics impacting the financial outcomes of organizations and providing best practices to implement for success. Business of Parking - Finance Financial leaders from the parking and mobility community provide expertise on matters affecting our financial bottom line. From spending to funding, get the most current information on the dollars of our industry from those who know it best. Looking for CFOs, accounting leaders, and strategy officers to contribute! Business of Parking - Legal The legal landscape for parking and mobility operations is changing at an unprecedented rate. Our industry's top legal minds will give insights into the most current legal and regulatory factors impacting our industry. Looking for both in-house and outside legal professionals to lend their expertise! The Green Impact Share stories of the impacts of sustainable parking and mobility. What are the continued impacts of the "greening" of our industry? How are parking and mobility professionals responding to the need for sustainable solutions? HR Perspective Human resources professionals take the lead in sharing vital information on organizational success. Experts in managing our most important resource - our people - speaking on relevant HR or human capital topics. Looking for industry HR leaders to share their expertise! Leadership Moment Share the voices of your organization's C-Suite or senior leadership! Industry trailblazers share insights on leadership and organizational success. When possible, the topic should be matched to the monthly issue theme. We are looking for C-Suite, Executive, and Senior Leadership to contribute. Parking Spotlight Opportunity for planning, design, and construction firms to highlight a completed parking project. Ready to contribute? Email editor@parking-mobility.org, or click here to submit your pitch. Please share your knowledge and help advance our industry! Melissa Rysak is the Vice President, Communications for IPMI. Melissa can be reached at rysak@parking-mobility.org.

Over the past several years, urban curb space has emerged as one of the cities’ most valuable and contested resources.