Environmental effects of transport

Global greenhouse gas emissions from transportation:^[1]

Cars (40%)

Trucks (34%)

Planes (11%)

Boats (11%)

Trains (4%)

The environmental effects of transport are significant because transport is a major user of energy, and burns most of the world's petroleum. This creates air pollution, including nitrous oxides and particulates, and is a significant contributor to global warming through emission of carbon dioxide.^[2]^[3] Within the transport sector, road transport is the largest contributor to global warming.^[2]

Environmental regulations in developed countries have reduced the individual vehicle's emission. However, this has been offset by an increase in the number of vehicles, and increased use of each vehicle (an effect known as the Jevons paradox).^[2] Some pathways to reduce the carbon emissions of road vehicles have been considerably studied.^[4] Energy use and emissions vary largely between modes, causing environmentalists to call for a transition from air and road to rail and human-powered transport, and increase transport electrification and energy efficiency.

Other environmental impacts of transport systems include traffic congestion and automobile-oriented urban sprawl, which can consume natural habitat and agricultural lands. By reducing transport emissions globally, it is predicted that there will be significant positive effects on Earth's air quality, acid rain, smog, and climate change.^[5] Health effects of transport include noise pollution and carbon monoxide emissions.

While electric cars are being built to cut down CO₂ emission at the point of use, an approach that is becoming popular among cities worldwide is to prioritize public transport, bicycles, and pedestrian movement. Redirecting vehicle movement to create 20-minute neighbourhoods^[6] that promotes exercise while greatly reducing vehicle dependency and pollution. Some policies are levying a congestion charge^[7] to cars for travelling within congested areas during peak time.

^ International Council on Clean Transportation, A world of thoughts on Phase 2, 16 September 2016 (page visited on 18 November 2018).
^ ^a ^b ^c Fuglestvet et al., Center for International Climate and Environmental Research (2007). "Climate forcing from the transport sectors" (PDF).
^ Worldwatch Institute (16 January 2008). "Analysis: Nano Hypocrisy?". Archived from the original on 13 October 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2009.
^ "Carbon Pathways Analysis – Informing Development of a Carbon Reduction Strategy for the Transport Sector – Claverton Group". claverton-energy.com.
^ Environment Canada. "Transportation". Archived from the original on July 13, 2007. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
^ Planning (2020-09-09). "20-minute neighbourhoods". Planning. Retrieved 2020-09-26.
^ "Congestion Charge (Official)". Transport for London. Retrieved 2020-09-26.

[1] International Council on Clean Transportation, A world of thoughts on Phase 2, 16 September 2016 (page visited on 18 November 2018).

[pnas_pdf-2] Fuglestvet et al., Center for International Climate and Environmental Research (2007). "Climate forcing from the transport sectors" (PDF).

[3] Worldwatch Institute (16 January 2008). "Analysis: Nano Hypocrisy?". Archived from the original on 13 October 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2009.

[4] "Carbon Pathways Analysis – Informing Development of a Carbon Reduction Strategy for the Transport Sector – Claverton Group". claverton-energy.com.

[5] Environment Canada. "Transportation". Archived from the original on July 13, 2007. Retrieved 30 July 2008.

[6] Planning (2020-09-09). "20-minute neighbourhoods". Planning. Retrieved 2020-09-26.

[7] "Congestion Charge (Official)". Transport for London. Retrieved 2020-09-26.

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