Your commute and travel and how it could be different

We’ve seen that there are a lot of things we can do as a society to reduce transport emissions, and one key approach is to shift to different modes of transport.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the different modes of transport you can use for your daily commute or your next adventure, and see how they differ in terms of emissions and other considerations.

Carbon footprint of travel 

The graphic below shows CO₂ emissions per passenger-kilometre travelled across different modes of transport in the UK.

Adapted from Our World in Data (2023), CC BY 4.0.

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As you may have guessed, aviation performs worst of all transport modes, with domestic flights having the highest emissions per passenger-kilometre, which are 60 times as high as an efficient high-speed train. Note that while long-haul flights emit less per kilometre than domestic flights, one long-haul flight emits more than any other typical trip, as a long-haul flight typically covers several thousand kilometres. 

Electric cars emit less than a third of what petrol and diesel cars produce but still release more per passenger-kilometre than all electric forms of public transport listed here (national trains, tram and metro). 

Another factor to consider is travel times. Many people may prioritise flying because it’s faster. However, if you’re short of time, a good way to limit your travel time while using low-emissions options is to travel to a place that is closer, while limiting how much you travel to more distant places.

Active travel has multiple benefits

Did you know that in the UK, almost half of all urban trips are under 3.5 kilometres? Most people can easily cycle this distance in 15 minutes or walk it in 45 minutes. Moreover, active travel brings multiple benefits: it’s free or very cheap, it’s healthy, and unlike motorised transport, it doesn’t cause air pollution.

Have your say 

Let’s apply these insights to your own life. Think of a place you regularly commute to (for example, your work, school or university), or a place that you might want to go to for your next holiday. Now think about the following questions: 

• What different transport options are available for this commute or trip? 
• How do these options differ in terms of carbon footprint, travel time, cost and convenience? It’s ok to just make some rough guesses based on what you know and the carbon footprint estimates provided above. Alternatively, you can use online tools like Greentripper to get actual numbers. 
• Based on these considerations, what is the option with the lowest carbon footprint that you could imagine using for this commute or trip?  
• Are there any obstacles to doing this trip in a way that has a very low carbon footprint?  
• What bigger changes in society would make it easier or more attractive to choose such alternatives?

If you’re already using the most climate-friendly option, you could think of a friend, colleague, or family member who doesn’t, and apply the above questions to this person. Share and discuss your responses with other learners in the Comments section.