Transportation and the Environment

TLDR

Transport growth has become unsustainable due to its CO₂‑intensive nature, yet it remains essential for global economic integration and requires rethinking governance to address fragmented decision‑making and environmental impacts. The paper examines low‑carbon transport solutions, including behavioral options, demand reduction, innovative technologies, and the use of international agreements on pricing, standards, and regulations. It proposes a holistic framework based on transition management and niche development to integrate technological innovation and new travel and trade patterns.

Abstract

The growth of CO 2 -intensive transport, mobility and the impact of transport on the environment are reviewed. The recent global exponential growth in transport is unsustainable and must end unless the transport sector can decarbonize. The paper examines solutions for low-carbon transport systems; the behavioral options; possible demand reduction; the role of innovative technologies; and the means by which international agreements on pricing, standards, and regulations can be effectively used. Transport brings enormous benefits to society, and it has been instrumental in the globalization of the world economy, with substantial capital investments in its material infrastructure. Transport governance also needs rethinking to understand the major challenges, to implement major policy changes, and to address the problems of fragmented decision making. Holistic approaches, using ideas from transition management and niche development, are proposed as a framework within which both technological innovation and new patterns of travel and trade can be brought about.