TRANSPORT CO₂ EMISSIONS
1. Airplanes are the preferred mode of transportation for medium-to-haul journeys. Modern airplanes are more energy-efficient and emit fewer pollutants THAN older models, but maintenance is key. Propeller aircraft are generally more energy-efficient and have a lesser climate impact due to lower flying altitudes, while smaller jets consume more energy per passenger-mile. Charter flights and low-cost carriers produce less air pollution and CO2 emissions per passenger-mile COMPARED TO regular flights due to their higher seat capacity and occupancy levels. Short-haul flights produce more CO2 emissions per passenger mile THAN long-haul flights due to increased emissions during take-off and landing. Intercontinental/international flights with refueling or stopovers can be more fuel-efficient, resulting in lower energy consumption. (For more information about CO2 emissions of the global airlines and how to offset/compensate, you may visit https://www.atmosfair.de/en/)
2. Cars remain the preferred transportation for holidays. Recent improvements like unleaded petrol, catalytic converters, and diesel particulate filters (DPF) have reduced air-polluting emissions. A well-maintained DPF can cut small particle emissions by 99%. However, CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion continue to be a significant issue. The longer the distance, the higher the emission of pollutants and CO2. Older vehicles emit more harmful pollutants THAN newer models due to stricter regulations and technological advancements. Emissions vary by car brand and type, with lower carbon emissions resulting in better ratings on carbon labels used in many countries. If a carbon label is unavailable, refer to international websites or vehicle specifications for details. Electric vehicles are the most efficient car type, emitting no fumes while driving and converting energy into motion five times better than combustion engines. When powered by renewable electricity, they can be completely carbon neutral. However, their higher price is mainly due to battery costs. A calm driving style, or Eco-driving, reduces energy consumption by 10-20%, leading to lower CO2 and pollutant emissions. Proper car maintenance, including tire inflation, can lower fuel consumption. The addition of car accessories like roof racks or towing trailers can increase fuel consumption by 20% to 50% due to higher air resistance. More passengers in cars reduce emissions per person. Extra weight minimally affects fuel consumption, effectively halving emissions when doubling passengers.
3. Trains are an effective transportation option for both short and long distances. While most trains use electricity, which can harm the environment, they are energy-efficient and do not emit pollutants or carbon dioxide. For long distances, high-speed trains often replace conventional international trains. While they consume double the electricity per passenger-mile compared to regular trains, their higher occupancy rate offsets this increased energy use. High-speed trains are a viable alternative to air travel for distances up to 1000-1500 km, particularly for city-to-city journeys. Door-to-door travel by train is often quicker and cheaper than flying, as it eliminates check-in times and offers direct routes between city centers.
Fuel consumption and pollution levels of coaches are affected by speed, engine type, and occupancy rates. On average, coaches have lower fuel consumption per passenger mile than cars, planes, and often trains. Most modern coaches meet current emission standards, although diesel engines produce more pollution. Regularly scheduled buses have fluctuating rates, while shuttle buses maintain high occupancy as they are designed for expected passenger numbers.
Approximate Conclusions on the Environmental Impact of a Specific Journey:
• Coaches are the most eco-friendly transport option.
• Environmental impact comparison:
- Train journeys: twice that of coach travel.
- Car journeys (four passengers): 2.5 times higher.
- Flights: 3.5 to 8 times more than coaches, especially for short distances.
• High-speed trains' emissions are comparable to regular trains due to high occupancy.
• Cars, especially older and inefficient models, contribute significantly to air pollution and CO2 emissions.
- Cars with 2 or 4 passengers plus a caravan produce pollution like airplanes.
- A two-passenger car with a caravan creates more pollution per passenger than a flight.
• Scheduled flights are 25% more polluting than low-cost airlines due to better occupancy and higher seat density.
Eco-friendlier transportation to the destination is based on the:
- Time to distance proportion: A single long-haul journey is more environmentally friendly than multiple short trips to distant places.
- Short-medium-distance destinations: For journeys up to 700 km, coaches and trains are excellent alternatives to air travel. They remain solid options for distances up to 1,500 km, especially with the rise of high-speed trains offering cargo space for bicycles. Bicycles serve as both leisure activities and convenient local transportation at destinations.
- Transport alternatives: Prioritize flights with charter or low-cost airlines that have more seats and higher occupancy rates. Choose airlines known for sustainable practices and low-emission planes. For coach transport, select shuttle buses over regular ones and consider companies committed to environmentally friendly policies.
- Carbon compensation: CO2 emissions significantly impact climate change, but carbon offset programs can help mitigate these effects. Effective methods include tree planting, which absorbs CO2, and investing in energy efficiency or renewable energy projects. These practices enable climate-neutral or carbon-neutral travel. You can search for CO2 Calculator online or may check your CO2 Footprint through one of these specialized organizations that offer CO2 Calculator and climate compensation programs: (we are not affiliated with any of these organizations, but they are one of the websites you can find online to help you calculate your CO2 Emissions)
https://www.southpole.com/
https://www.trees4travel.com/
https://www.myclimate.org/
https://my.trees4travel.com/ https://afocosec.org etc…