Climate & Environment

Transport Emissions

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Definition

Transport emissions are the greenhouse gases produced by moving people and freight by road, rail, air and water — around a fifth of global CO₂ emissions, with road vehicles (cars, vans, trucks) contributing roughly three-quarters of the sector total, aviation and shipping most of the rest. Transport is among the fastest-growing and slowest-decarbonising sectors: efficiency gains have been outrun by rising demand for mobility, freight and flights.

References

www.iea.orgBulk import source

Source imported for editorial provenance.

www.ipcc.chBulk import source

This reference provides supporting context for how “Transport Emissions” is defined and used.

Overview

How it is used

The category structures national inventory reporting, corporate Scope 1 (fleets) and Scope 3 (commuting, business travel, freight) accounting, and sector policy from fuel standards to aviation CORSIA.

Why it matters

Transport is where decarbonisation meets daily life most visibly — and where technology must work hardest because demand keeps rising.