Sustainability aspects of transport
Transport emissions are often the largest part of our individual carbon footprint.
Therefore, assessing transport options is a natural starting point, whether it’s a daily commute or a leisure trip abroad.
So what is the most environmentally friendly way to get from one place to another?
The infographic above shows the carbon footprint of different vehicles per passenger kilometre, based on data from the UK Government’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Methodology document.
As can be seen, cruise ships are the most carbon-intensive mode of travel, so local sourcing of products is of particular importance for the future.
The question is whether the 21st century is the right time to start.
The question is whether this is a realistic expectation in the 21st century, with globalisation.
Cruise ships typically run on heavy fuel oil, which has a high carbon content.
The average cruise ship weighs between 70 000 and 180 000 tonnes, which means that they need large engines to move.
These huge ships also need to generate power for on-board equipment such as lighting, air conditioning and entertainment systems.
The other most carbon-intensive travel modes are estimated to be domestic air travel and driving.
Short-haul flights are also considered carbon-intensive, as they consume significant amounts of fuel during take-off and climbing, compared to less cruising.
But what about electronic vehicles?
Many experts agree that electric vehicles will eventually emit less carbon dioxide than conventional internal combustion engine vehicles.
But the question is more complex.
However, electric vehicle batteries are charged directly by energy from the electricity grid, which in many places is fossil fuel-based.
Therefore, the carbon emissions of electric vehicles are highly dependent on the mix of electricity sources used for charging.
There are also questions about how energy-intensive it is to produce an electric vehicle compared to a comparable internal combustion vehicle.
(Source: Visual Capitalist)
