The effects of physical activity on greenhouse gas emissions for common transport modes in European countries

Abstract

This paper applies a life cycle methodology to estimate activity-related contributions of transport modes to GHG emissions. The methodology uses national input-output tables, environmental accounts, household budget data and nutritional data to derive food-sector GHG coefficients of consumption for ten European countries. The food energy requirements for each mode of transport are estimated taking account of the modal activity level and energy requirements. Typical national food energy-related emissions for walking, cycling, and driving ranged from 25.6 to 77.3 gCO2-eq/pass.km, 10.4-31.4gCO2-eq/pass.km and 1.7-5.2gCO2-eq/pass.km; passenger transport was found to result in no food-related emi..