The climate impact of travel behavior: A German case study with illustrative mitigation options

Aamaas, B., Borken-Kleefeld, J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5465-8559, & Peters, G.P. (2013). The climate impact of travel behavior: A German case study with illustrative mitigation options. Environmental Science & Policy 33 273-282. 10.1016/j.envsci.2013.06.009.

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Abstract

Global greenhouse gas mitigation should include the growing share of emissions from transportation. To help understand the mitigation potential of changing travel behavior requires disaggregating the climate impacts of transportation by transport mode, distance, and travel behavior. Here we use disaggregated data on travel behavior to calculate the climate impact of Germans traveling nationally and internationally in 2008 and develop some illustrative mitigation options. We include all relevant long-lived greenhouse gases and short-lived climate forcers and use global temperature change for 50 years of sustained emissions as the emission metric. The total climate impact is determined almost entirely by car (~46%) and air travel (~45%), with smaller contributions from public transportation. The climate impact from the highest income group is 250% larger than from the lowest income group. However, the middle classes account for more than two thirds of the total impact. The relatively few trips beyond 100 km contribute more than half of the total impact because of the trip distance and use of aircraft. Individual behavioral changes, like shifting transport modes or reducing distance and frequency, can lead to useful emission reductions. However, a comprehensive package of mitigation options is necessary for deep and sustained emission reductions.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Climate impact; Travel behavior; Emission metric
Research Programs:	Air Quality & Greenhouse Gases (AIR) Mitigation of Air Pollution (MAG)
Bibliographic Reference:	Environmental Science & Policy; 33:273-282 (November 2013) (Published online 1 August 2013)
Depositing User:	IIASA Import
Date Deposited:	15 Jan 2016 08:48
Last Modified:	27 Aug 2021 17:23
URI:	https://pure.iiasa.ac.at/10365

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