Transport emissions of greenhouse gases by mode

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Assessment made on 01 Feb 2005

Note: new version is available!

Jan 12, 2011 - Transport emissions of greenhouse gases (TERM 002) - Assessment published Jan 2011

Generic metadata

Classification

Transport (Primary theme)

Climate change

Tags:

TERM | TERM002

DPSIR: Pressure

Identification

Indicator codes

TERM 002

Geographical coverage:

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Contents

Policy issue: Meet the EU target under the Kyoto Protocol

Key messages

- In the area of EEA31, emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from transport (excluding international air and maritime transport) increased by 20 % between 1990 and 2002. The EU15 Member States make up 89 % of the total EEA31 transport emissions and they increased by 22 % in the period of 1990-2002. In the EEA-EFTA countries the emissions increased by 24 % while in the new EU Member States (EU10) the increase was 8 %. The group EEA-EFTA has the highest increase in emissions, followed by EU15 and EU10. In the Candidate Countries (CC3 - without Turkey) the emissions decreased by 2 %.
- For several EU15 Member States and EEA-EFTA countries rapidly rising greenhouse gas emissions from transport are a serious concern for meeting the Kyoto target.
- EU15 is the only country group with data on change in modal split in 1990 and 2002. In the EU15, domestic aviation was the fastest growing transport mode, while rail transport was the fastest decreasing one. Also GHG emissions from international aviation and navigation are increasing rapidly but these emissions are, in accordance with UNFCCC guidelines, not included in the GHG emission totals relevant for the Kyoto targets.
- In the EU15, the transport sector was responsible for 21 % of the total GHG emissions in 2002 while in the EU10 the transport sector contributed only by 10 % to the total GHG emissions. In the EEA-EFTA this figure was 26 %.

Figures

Total EEA31 greenhouse gas emissions from transport

Key assessment

GHG emissions from transport increased by 20 % between 1990 and 2002 in the EEA31 countries3. Emissions increased faster in the EEA-EFTA and EU15 Member States than in the EU10. For several EU15 Member States and EEA-EFTA countries rapidly rising greenhouse gas emissions from transport are a serious concern for meeting the Kyoto target.

In the EU15 GHG emissions from transport increased by 22 %; they contribute by 89 % to the total EEA31 transport emissions. The transport emissions increased due to continuous increases in road transport volume (both passenger and freight). Since 2000, the increase of transported related GHG emissions slowed down which might be at least partly due to lower economic activity.