The Environmental Consequences of Engine Emissions in Air and Road Transport

Abstract

This study evaluated the environmental consequences of engine emissions from road and air transport on three commonly traveled routes between Berlin and the cities of Frankfurt, Paris, and Barcelona. The focus was on CO2 emissions due to their significant impact on climate change. By collecting and analyzing comprehensive data on vehicle and aircraft emissions, this study aimed to compare the CO2 output of each transport mode under different passenger load scenarios. The findings indicate that air transport is generally more efficient in terms of CO2 emissions per passenger for longer distances. For instance, the CO2 emissions per passenger ranged from 22.6 kg to 79.8 kg for air transport and from 64.7 kg to 220.8 kg for road transport, demonstrating reductions of approximately 65% to 72%. This study underscores the importance of considering both distance and passenger load when evaluating the environmental impact of different transport modes and highlights the need for a multifaceted approach to reducing transport emissions, including technological innovations, policy interventions, and behavioral changes.