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Indicator Assessment
The latest EEA preliminary estimations shows that transport emissions fell by 3.3 % in 2012, following the reduction trend seen from 2008. In 2012, transport (including shipping and aviation) contributed 24.3 % of the total of GHG emissions in the EU-28. Transport emissions (including aviation) in 2012 were 20.5 % above 1990 levels, despite a decline between 2008 and 2012. Emissions will, therefore, need to fall by 67 % by 2050 in order to meet the Transport White Paper target. International aviation experienced the largest percentage increase in GHG emissions from 1990 levels (+ 93 %), followed by international shipping (+ 32 %).
Emissions from international shipping declined between 2008 and 2012. GHG emissions from international aviation also declined, by 1.3 %, in 2012.
Outside the EU-28, in the last year available (between 2011 and 2012), values were generally stable.
The reduction trend seen from 2008 continued and actually increased in 2012: transport emissions including aviation fell by 3.3 % in 2012. This reduction is more acute for road transportation (3.6 %) than that of aviation (1.3 %). Remarkably, road transportation is the sector that has contributed the most to the 1.3 % overall reduction of EU-28 GHG emissions in 2012. However, transport emissions are still 20.5 % above 1990 levels, despite the current trend. Emissions will, therefore, need to fall by 67 % by 2050 in order to meet the 2011 Transport White Paper target.
Due to the notable increase in passenger-kilometres and tonne-kilometres compared to the values seen in 1990, international aviation experienced the largest percentage increase in GHG emissions from 1990 levels (93 %), followed by international shipping (32 %) and road transportation (17 %). In 2012, transport (including shipping and aviation) contributed 24.3 % of the total of GHG emissions in the EU-28; this figure drops to 19.7 % if bunkers are excluded from the overall value.
EU GHG emissions from international shipping decreased sharply in 2012 (by 9.3 %), reaching 2002 levels, but they will need to fall by 31.4 % by 2050 in order to meet its reduction target (a 40 % reduction from 2005 levels by 2050.)
In EFTA-4 countries, transport emissions (including aviation) since 1990 have increased above the EU-28 average in Iceland and Norway (54.2 % and 39.9 % respectively, compared with the 20.5 % EU-28 average), while Switzerland and Liechtenstein’s emissions grew by 18.9 % and by 8.4 % respectively. In the last year available (between 2011 and 2012), values were generally stable in EFTA-4 countries, although aviation emissions increased significantly in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway (by 4.8 %, 34.7 % and 5.5 % respectively).
Total greenhouse gas emissions from transport, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), are analysed in this indicator. Emissions are split into road transport, railways, domestic navigation, domestic aviation, international aviation and maritime transport.
In accordance with United Nations Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC) rules, the global warming potential values used in this indicator are those taken from IPCC AR2 for the pre-2015 period and those taken from IPCC AR4 for the post-2015 period. The data have been weighted according to the following global warming potentials for each greenhouse gas to give total emissions in million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (Mt CO2e):
There are no specific greenhouse gas emission reduction targets foreseen for the transport sector under the Kyoto Protocol. However, there are several European policies and strategies (see below) that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transport. From 1 January 2012, air transport has been included in the EU Emissions Trading System. However, in order to allow time for negotiations on a global, market-based measure that can be applied to aviation emissions, only emissions from flights within the European Economic Area currently fall under the EU system.
The EU's overall goal, set out in the 2011 White Paper for Transport, is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transport (including international aviation but excluding international shipping) by 2050 to a level that is 60 % below that of 1990. This includes the intermediate goal for 2030 of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transport by 20 % compared with 2008 levels. This is equivalent to an +8 % increase compared with 1990 levels. Similarly, emissions from international shipping are to be reduced by 40 % from 2005 levels by 2050. These overall transport targets are monitored annually and are in line with the economy-wide targets of a 20 % reduction in total greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 from 1990 levels and a 40 % reduction by 2030. Other transport policies that support the achievement of these targets, such as the various regulations that set CO2 emission targets for new passenger cars and vans, are also monitored in the Transport and Environment Reporting Mechanism (TERM).
As the transport sector is not included in the Emissions Trading Scheme, it is the responsibility of Member States to reduce transport emissions through national policies in order to reach their national Effort Sharing targets (which cover sectors such as transport, buildings, agriculture, waste, etc.). These Effort Sharing targets are equivalent to a 10 % reduction compared with 2005 levels by 2020, and a 30 % reduction by 2030.
The annual official data submission is made by the EU Member States to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the EU Monitoring Mechanism Regulation (MMR). The compilation of emission estimates by Member States is based on a combination of sectoral activity data, calorific values and carbon emission factors. Recommended methodologies for the estimation of emission data are compiled in the IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, supplemented by the ‘Good Practice Guidance and Uncertainty Management in National Greenhouse gas Inventories’ and UNFCCC Guidelines.
This indicator is based on information reported by Member States under the Monitoring Mechanism Regulation (MMR). However, should a Member State not submit the data required to compile the EU inventory, the European Commission shall prepare estimates to complete the Member States' greenhouse gas inventories in consultation and close cooperation with the Member States in question. In this case, the Member State shall use the gap-filled inventory in its official submission to the UNFCCC. The basis of this gap-filling process is described in the Commission Delegated Regulation of 12.03.2014 (http://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/g-gas/monitoring/docs/c_2014_1539_en.pdf )
Please refer to the Methodology uncertainty section of the Total greenhouse gas emissions trends and projections indicator (CSI 010/CLIM 050).
Please refer to the Data sets uncertainty section of the Total greenhouse gas emissions trends and projections indicator (CSI 010/CLIM 050).
Please refer to the Rationale uncertainty section of the Total greenhouse gas emissions trends and projections indicator (CSI 010/CLIM 050).
For references, please go to https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/indicators/transport-emissions-of-greenhouse-gases/transport-emissions-of-greenhouse-gases-4 or scan the QR code.
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