Flying and Driving: Can you Travel more Sustainably?

5 minute read

Updated on: 28 Jan 2021

Why focus on transport?

Transport is responsible for 16% of global greenhouse gas emissions . If we’re looking to cut our personal emissions, this is a good place to start.

Image of Emissions vary depending on what you use to travel — Emissions vary depending on what you use to travel

Flying creates 2.4% of global CO₂ emissions ! But this is only part of the story - over half of its climate impact comes from non-CO₂ emissions .

For example, planes release trails of water vapour which produce clouds that trap energy from the sun, creating a warming effect three times that of CO₂ !

Image of Impacts of flying — Impacts of flying

How can you reduce your environmental impact from flying?

For some journeys, there are alternatives to flying, such as taking a train or ferry .

When this isn’t possible, flying economy is the next best option. Flying in business class produces 2 to 3 times as much CO₂ as flying economy, while flying first class produces 2 to 3 times as much CO₂ as flying business class! This is because premium seats take up more space .

Image of Earthly sitting on a cramped airplane — Earthly sitting on a cramped airplane

Emissions from cars

In the EU, road transport (which includes cars, lorries, and buses) accounts for 72% of all emissions from transport!

That said, the best alternative is to take public transport, walk, or take a bicycle .

Image of Riding together can lower your impact! — Riding together can lower your impact!

Should you buy an electric car?

Electric cars get their energy from electricity in a battery, rather than fuel in a tank .

Unfortunately, electricity is still generated by burning fossil fuels in most places .

When compared to conventional petrol vehicles, electric cars still produce fewer emissions in their lifetime .

Image of Electric vehicles have a lower impact than conventional vehicles — Electric vehicles have a lower impact than conventional vehicles

Even in the US, where 84.3% of energy is produced by fossil fuels , electric vehicles emit half as much as petrol vehicles .

That said, electric cars still cause the same problems associated with all cars: traffic and road accidents .

Plus, cars release particles called PM₂.₅, which cause air pollution in cities . Most of these don’t come from the exhaust, but from friction in the breaks and the tyres, so occur on any type of car .

Image of Where do emissions from electric cars come from? — Where do emissions from electric cars come from?

Conclusion

We can all play a role in reducing our emissions by limiting how much we travel as well as choosing transportation options with a lower carbon footprint .

Image of You’ll reduce your impact by taking public transport! — You’ll reduce your impact by taking public transport!

Now you might be thinking “it’s great that I can cut my own carbon footprint, but it won’t change anything because I’m only one person”. This is an important concern, and we’ll look at it next!

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