So just how do you tackle Europe’s spiralling carbon footprint? According to the European Environment Agency it’s going to require a new outlook to reduce transport demand.
In a report entitled Beyond transport policy – exploring and managing the external drivers of transport demand it urged policymakers to take a fresh approach and support realistic measures such as pricing schemes for unsustainable mobility and improving awareness about the environmental consequences of travel choices and shopping.
The report highlighted the growth in transport demand as the ‘main cause’ of increased emissions and stated that it currently outweighs the gains made through fuel and energy efficiency. It pointed to the fact that transport is often a means to an end and the decisions are usually influenced by outside factors such as shopping and working. As such it believes the decisions made in these sectors influence the carbon footprint of the transport sector as they are often taken without thought for environmental impact and greenhouse gas emissions. It believes a detailed analysis of sectors outside the transport industry is needed.
To draw its conclusions the report focused on case studies on the effects of food production and consumption; the increasing use of short-haul air travel; and the effects of “education based” travel on transport demand.
It went on to highlight that policies on transport demand are most effective when formulated under realistic assumptions and that the wider implications of non-transport policies must be considered. Revenues from increased taxes could be channelled towards decreases in transport growth and marketing of policy is also vital alongside implementation.
What effect do you think the economic sector has on transport demand? Leave a comment with your thoughts.
