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Rail and waterborne — best for low-carbon motorised transport

A new study commissioned by the EEA shows a clear hierarchy of passenger and freight transport modes, in terms of their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Rail and waterborne transport have the lowest emissions per kilometre and unit transported, while aviation and road transport emit significantly more. Alongside shifting to rail and waterborne transport, improving the GHG efficiency of all motorised forms of transport remains an important objective. Moreover, monitoring their GHG efficiency on a regular basis would support these efforts. While active modes, such as walking and cycling, are outside the scope of the study, they are an obvious choice for clean and sustainable mobility because their emissions can be assumed to be close to zero.

Consumption and the environment — 2012 update

Update to the European Environment State and Outlook 2010 (SOER 2010) thematic assessment

Share of bus and trains in total inland passenger transport activity in the EU-27

The figure shows the share of bus and trains in total inland passenger transport activity in the EU-27.

Contribution of buses and trains (collective transport modes) and inland waterways and trains (non-road transport modes) to inland passenger transport and freight transport, respectively, in the EU-27

The figure shows the share of bus and trains (collective modes) and of inland waterways and trains (non-road modes) in total inland passenger and freight transport activity respectively in the EU-27.

Changes in the contributions of buses and trains (collective transport modes) to inland passenger transport and inland waterways and trains (non-road modes) to freight transport across European countries between 2005 and 2020

The figure shows the change, in percentage points, in the contribution of buses and trains (collective transport modes) to total inland passenger transport (left panel) and inland waterways and trains (non-road modes) to total freight transport (right panel) by country for the period 2005-2020.

Percentage point variation in the share of bus and trains (collective modes) in total inland passenger transport activity by country

The figure shows the percentage point variation in the share of bus and trains (collective modes) in total inland passenger transport activity by country.

Digitalisation can support shifting to more sustainable transport in Europe

Digital technologies offer opportunities to mitigate the impacts of Europe’s mobility sector — from air pollution, noise, accidents and time wasted in congestions, to land-take, habitat fragmentation and growing greenhouse gas emissions. However, according to a new analysis by the European Environment Agency (EEA), these gains depend on how digital solutions are deployed and how they affect overall transport demand. A separate foresight briefing looks at teleworking and sustainability more closely.

Changes in the share of collective modes in inland passenger transport and of non-road modes in inland freight transport across European countries between 2010 and 2021

The figure shows the percentage point variations in the share of buses, trains, trams and metro (collective modes) and of inland waterways and trains (non-road modes) in total inland passenger and freight transport activities respectively by country.

Contribution of collective and non-road modes to inland passenger and freight transport, respectively, in the EU-27

The figure shows the share of buses, trains, trams and metro (collective modes) and of inland waterways and trains (non-road modes) in total inland passenger and freight transport activities respectively in the EU-27. For reference, the absolute activities in the EU-27 for passenger and freight transport have been included.

From the daily office commute to flexible working patterns — teleworking and sustainability

The COVID-19 pandemic transformed our traditional understanding of ‘work’ and pushed us to embrace new ways of working. Instead of the daily commute to the office, many people are choosing to work from home or a 'third place'. This briefing builds on the outcome of a participatory foresight process and desk research to examine how teleworking could affect our daily lives, our health and the environment.

Share of buses and trains in inland passenger transport in Europe

Promoting sustainable transport modes like public transport can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental pressures such as air pollution and noise. The EU Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy underlines the importance of public passenger transport in greater transport sustainability. The share of buses and trains in total passenger transport has changed very little since 2005, with some fluctuation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Shifting more people to public transport still requires decisive action and a break from long-standing habits.

Exposure of Europe’s population to environmental noise

Environmental noise remains a significant problem in Europe. Over 20% of the population live in areas where transport noise levels are harmful to health when measured against thresholds established in the Environmental Noise Directive. Applying the stricter WHO recommendations increases this figure to over 30%. Road traffic is the main source of noise pollution in both urban and rural settings. A key commitment of the European Commission’s zero pollution ambition is to reduce the share of people chronically disturbed by transport noise by 30% by 2030, compared with 2017.

SIGNALS 2016 - Towards clean and smart mobility

This report explores the historical trends, most recent progress and projected future progress on climate change mitigation through reduced GHG emissions, renewable energy gains and improved energy efficiency. It builds upon data reported by the EU-27 Member States, five EEA member countries and nine Contracting Parties of the Energy Community.

Transitions towards a more sustainable mobility system - TERM 2016

The EEA’s new report ‘TERM 2016: Transitions towards a more sustainable mobility system’ assesses the progress European Union Member States are making to improve the environmental performance of transport in line with related EU policy targets. The report also looks at the big changes underway in the sector, from emerging technologies like electric and driverless cars, or recent practices that have caught on, like shared or on-demand online mobility services for commuters. The report stresses that transport activity in the years ahead will continue to put pressure on the environment if action isn’t taken to make transport sustainable.

Aviation and shipping — impacts on Europe's environment TERM 2017

Domestic and international aviation and shipping are key components of Europe's mobility system. They are both economic sectors that directly bring many societal and economic benefits, such as the delivery of a wide range of goods and services and provision of employment and mobility for personal leisure or business purposes. However, from the broader environmental perspective, both sectors are also seen as challenging, because increasing demand within each of the sectors is exerting increasing pressures on the environment and climate. Their joint consideration in this TERM 2017 report also reflects key similarities, opportunities and challenges between them.

Transport and environment report 2020 - Train or plane?

Traveling by plane, train or automobile: the most environmentally sound choice may not always be clear. The report assesses the value of travel by train and plane. Rail travel is the best and most sensible mode of travel, apart from walking or cycling. Aviation’s emission impacts are much higher on a passenger-kilometre basis. But flying is not necessarily the most harmful choice. Travel by a petrol or diesel-powered car, especially if traveling alone, can be more harmful.