Indicator Fact Sheet

Emissions per passenger-km and per tonne-km

Indicator Fact Sheet

Prod-ID: IND-109-en

Also known as: TERM 028

This is an old version, kept for reference only.

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Topics: Transport

This page was archived on 22 Feb 2017 with reason: No more updates will be done

Assessment made on 01 Jan 2002

Generic metadata

Classification

Topics:

Transport

DPSIR: Driving force

Identification

Indicator codes

TERM 028

Contents

Policy issue: Reduce emissions per passenger-km and per tonne-km.

Figures

Modelled specific emission of NOx per transport unit

Key assessment

Stricter emission standards (e.g. the introduction of catalysts) and improvements in fuel quality have resulted in marked decreases in specific emissions of NO_x (and other pollutants) by cars and trucks. The environmental gains have, however, been partly offset by traffic growth. The reductions in specific emissions projected up to 2010 assume a certain level of maintenance of the vehicle fleet.

Data for some countries show that specific emissions from other transport modes have also fallen markedly during the past two decades. One exception is the specific NO_x emissions from aircraft, which increased by about 12 % between 1977 and 1988. Shipping is the least polluting mode for freight transport. Aviation and road transport are the most polluting modes.