How can we reduce carbon emissions from transport?

How can we reduce carbon emissions from transport?

Behavioural response and lifestyle change in moving to low carbon transport futures

Research Theme 2 - Decarbonising Modern Societies
Project ID - IT1.7

Principal contact: Dr Abigail Bristow

The following information is available on this project:

Final technical report:

For Tyndall Centre Technical Report 15 see attachment: Bristow, A., Pridmore, A., Tight, M., May, T., Berkhout, F., Harris, M. (2004) How can we reduce carbon emissions from transport?

Technical Summary

The transport sector is responsible for around 23% of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions in the UK, and traffic forecasts indicate that emissions will continue to increase from this sector. Passenger car emissions already account for 15% of UK CO2 emissions. The UK has a target reduction of 12.5% under the Kyoto agreement, but many experts argue far more extensive reductions of 60-80% are needed in order to make a difference to the rate of climate change in the long run. This research will consider the ways in which CO2 reductions can be achieved in the transport sector. It will focus on the long run need for deep cuts in carbon emissions. To this end we will consult extensively with experts in the fields of transport, land use and technology to identify what could be done. We will use this evidence to construct possible paths which the transport sector could follow in order to deliver significant reductions in carbon emissions. Once feasible paths are established we will develop a survey tool to explore the reduction strategies households would select in order to reduce emissions and to assess their acceptability. The main output of the study will be policy recommendations on what can be done and what approaches are most acceptable to households. Another key output will be a household survey method capable of assessing a households emissions from their travel behaviour and estimating the reductions (and increases!) that would arise in response to specific changes in behaviour.