Transport

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Transport accounts for around a third of all final energy consumption in the EEA member countries and for more than a fifth of greenhouse gas emissions. It is also responsible for a large share of urban air pollution as well as noise nuisance. Furthermore, transport has a serious impact on the landscape because it divides natural areas into small patches with serious consequences for animals and plants. More

Key facts and messages: While progress has been made in meeting certain policy objectives, including efficiency and short-term greenhouse gas reduction targets, major challenges remain toward meeting longer term objectives. The European Commission's target of a 60%... more; There was an increase in passenger transport demand between 2005 and 2012, although overall it has been stable in recent years. However, national trends varied significantly, with demand increasing in 23 countries and decreasing in 10. more; In 2012, the car was the dominant mode of transport in all countries. Car passenger transport has generally decreased in the last three years (2009 to 2012) with a significant drop in some countries. more; The economic recession led to reduced pollutant emissions by lowering transport demand. Transport is still responsible for 25% of EU greenhouse gas emissions, and contributes significantly to air pollution, noise and habitat fragmentation. more

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Air pollution: agriculture and transport emissions continue to pose problems in meeting agreed limits

News 09 Jul 2018

Emissions from agriculture and transport continue to pose problems for European Union Member States in meeting EU and United Nations air pollution limits, according to updated data published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) today. While emissions of most air pollutants remain on a downward trend, ammonia emissions continued to rise in 2016.

Small cut in EU's total greenhouse gas emissions in 2016 but transport emissions keep increasing

News 31 May 2018

Total greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union (EU) decreased by 0.4 % in 2016, according to latest official data published today by the European Environment Agency (EEA). Using less coal to produce heat and electricity was enough to make a slight cut in total emissions despite an increase in transport emissions for the third consecutive year.

New vans sold in Europe in 2017: large decrease in annual average CO2 emissions

News 17 May 2018

Average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of new vans registered in the European Union (EU) in 2017 were 4.7% lower than in 2016, according to preliminary data published today by the European Environment Agency (EEA). This is the highest annual reduction reported since the regulation to reduce CO2 emissions from light-duty vehicles came into force in 2011.

No improvements on average CO2 emissions from new cars in 2017

News 23 Apr 2018

Efforts to improve the fuel efficiency of new cars sold in the European Union (EU) stalled in 2017 compared to 2016, according to provisional data published today by the European Environment Agency (EEA). While past years have seen steady declines, new passenger cars registered in 2017 emitted on average 0.4 grammes (g) of carbon dioxide (CO2) per kilometre more than in 2016.

Air pollution: agriculture and transport emissions continue to pose problems in meeting agreed limits Emissions from agriculture and transport continue to pose problems for European Union Member States in meeting EU and United Nations air pollution limits, according to updated data published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) today. While emissions of most air pollutants remain on a downward trend, ammonia emissions continued to rise in 2016.

Small cut in EU's total greenhouse gas emissions in 2016 but transport emissions keep increasing Total greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union (EU) decreased by 0.4 % in 2016, according to latest official data published today by the European Environment Agency (EEA). Using less coal to produce heat and electricity was enough to make a slight cut in total emissions despite an increase in transport emissions for the third consecutive year.

New vans sold in Europe in 2017: large decrease in annual average CO2 emissions Average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of new vans registered in the European Union (EU) in 2017 were 4.7% lower than in 2016, according to preliminary data published today by the European Environment Agency (EEA). This is the highest annual reduction reported since the regulation to reduce CO2 emissions from light-duty vehicles came into force in 2011.

No improvements on average CO2 emissions from new cars in 2017 Efforts to improve the fuel efficiency of new cars sold in the European Union (EU) stalled in 2017 compared to 2016, according to provisional data published today by the European Environment Agency (EEA). While past years have seen steady declines, new passenger cars registered in 2017 emitted on average 0.4 grammes (g) of carbon dioxide (CO2) per kilometre more than in 2016.

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Noise pollution in the spotlight

Article 15 Mar 2017

In April, the European Environment Agency will help raise awareness of the growing problem of noise pollution across Europe. We discussed with Colin Nugent, an EEA noise pollution expert, the very real health impacts of noise which are often underestimated.

Electric vehicles: moving towards a sustainable mobility system

Article 15 Sep 2016

Modern society depends on the movement of goods and people, but our current transport systems have negative impacts on human health and the environment. We spoke to Magdalena Jóźwicka, project manager of an upcoming report on electric vehicles, about the environmental advantages and challenges of using electricity as an alternative to conventional fuels for vehicles.

Noise pollution in the spotlight In April, the European Environment Agency will help raise awareness of the growing problem of noise pollution across Europe. We discussed with Colin Nugent, an EEA noise pollution expert, the very real health impacts of noise which are often underestimated.

Electric vehicles: moving towards a sustainable mobility system Modern society depends on the movement of goods and people, but our current transport systems have negative impacts on human health and the environment. We spoke to Magdalena Jóźwicka, project manager of an upcoming report on electric vehicles, about the environmental advantages and challenges of using electricity as an alternative to conventional fuels for vehicles.

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Appropriate taxes and incentives do affect purchases of new cars

Publication 12 Apr 2018

Financial incentives set by Member States, such as taxes, can drive reductions in average CO2 emissions from new passenger cars in Europe. This briefing describes how these measures affect the sales of vehicles with lower CO2 emissions and examines the extent to which differences in average CO2 emissions between countries may be attributable to differences in the taxation and incentives systems in place.

Fuel quality in the EU in 2016

Publication 31 Jan 2018

Fuel quality monitoring under the Fuel Quality Directive.

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

Publication 31 Jan 2018

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.

Monitoring CO2 emissions from new passenger cars and vans in 2016

Publication 18 Jan 2018

European Environment Agency (EEA) is supporting the Commission in the monitoring of the CO2 performance of passenger cars and vans, according to the European Regulations (EC) 443/2009 and (EU) 510/2011.

Appropriate taxes and incentives do affect purchases of new cars Financial incentives set by Member States, such as taxes, can drive reductions in average CO2 emissions from new passenger cars in Europe. This briefing describes how these measures affect the sales of vehicles with lower CO2 emissions and examines the extent to which differences in average CO2 emissions between countries may be attributable to differences in the taxation and incentives systems in place.

Fuel quality in the EU in 2016 Fuel quality monitoring under the Fuel Quality Directive.

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.

Monitoring CO2 emissions from new passenger cars and vans in 2016 European Environment Agency (EEA) is supporting the Commission in the monitoring of the CO2 performance of passenger cars and vans, according to the European Regulations (EC) 443/2009 and (EU) 510/2011.

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Number of people exposed to night-time noise (Lnight) ≥ 50 dB

Data Visualization 19 Jul 2018

Number of people exposed to average day-evening-night noise levels (Lden) ≥ 55 dB

Data Visualization 19 Jul 2018

Fuel Quality Directive

Data 03 Jul 2018

By 31st of August each year the Member States must submit a summary of fuel quality monitoring data collected during the period January to December of the previous calendar year, in accordance with Article 8(1) of Directive 98/70/EC as amended by Directive 2009/30/EC. The delivery process is managed by EEA.

Electric vehicles as a proportion of the total fleet

Indicator Assessment 11 Jun 2018

Compared with 2016, sales of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in the EU-28 increased by 51 % in 2017, the highest increase since 2008. Nevertheless, BEVs continue to constitute only a very small fraction of new vehicle registrations . Around 224 000 p lug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) were registered in 2017, a 35 % increase compared with 2016. The largest number of registrations was recorded in France (more than 26 110 vehicles), Germany (more than 24 350 vehicles) and the UK (more than 13 580 vehicles). Combined, the relative share of PHEV and BEV sales was highest in Sweden, Belgium and Finland, with shares of 5.5 %, 2.7 % and 2.6 % respectively of national car sales in 2017.

Average CO2 emissions from newly registered motor vehicles

Indicator Assessment 11 Jun 2018

Despite a small increase in annual average CO 2 emissions from passenger cars in 2017, new cars are becoming more efficient. The average car sold in 2017 was almost 16 % more efficient than the average car sold in 2010. Average annual CO 2 emissions from new light commercial vehicles (vans) continued to decrease in 2017. The average van sold in 2017 was 13 % more efficient than one sold in 2012, when Regulation (EU) 510/2011 came in to force. The new 'Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedure' (WLTP) was introduced in September 2017. It is anticipated that it will decrease the divergence between laboratory test and real world emissions.

Monitoring of CO2 emissions from vans – Regulation 510/2011

Data 17 May 2018

The Regulation (EU) No 510/2011 requires Member States to record information for each new van registered in its territory. Every year, each Member State shall submit to the Commission all the information related to their new registrations. In particular, the following details are required for each new van registered: manufacturer name, type approval number, type, variant, version, make and commercial name, specific emissions of CO2, mass of the vehicle, wheel base, track width, fuel type and fuel mode. Additional information, such as engine power and engine capacity were also submitted.

Average CO2 emissions from new passenger cars sold in EU-28 Member States plus Norway, Iceland and Switzerland in 2016

Figure 12 Apr 2018

The maps reports the average CO2 emissions (g CO2/km) from new passenger cars registered in 2016 by country.

Towns and industrial activities in the Arctic

Figure 14 Jun 2017

Major activities already exist in the European Arctic, including high population density, infrastructure and economic engagement both on-shore and off-shore.

The NOISE Observation & Information Service for Europe

GIS Map Application 05 May 2017

Noise pollution is a major environmental concern in Europe. Explore NOISE maps to see environmental noise from roads, railways, airports, industry and in cities where you live.

Fuel types and GHG emissions

Infographic 29 Jun 2016

Transport demand is closely linked to economic activity: in periods of growth, economic output goes up, more goods are transported and more people travel. The impacts of transport on human health, the environment and climate change are closely linked to the choice of fuel. Clean alternative fuels, including electricity, are already available and can constitute viable options to petrol and diesel. Trip length plays a role in determining the suitability of the fuel type.

Carbon dioxide emissions from passenger transport

Infographic 29 Jun 2016

A wide range of transport options exists, but choosing the one with lowest emissions is not always straightforward. One way to measure your environmental impact is to look at the CO2 emissions per passenger kilometre travelled.

EU progress in meeting emission ceilings set out in the NECD Annexes I and II

Figure 10 Jun 2016

EU progress in meeting emission ceilings (for compliance and for environmental objectives) of the four main air pollutants regulated in the 2001 National Emission Ceilings Directive