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Sustainable travel: means of transport in comparison
According to a study by the consulting firm CE Delft, international tourism contributed around 8 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2018. For this reason, sustainable travel – also referred to as “ecotourism” or “green” – is becoming increasingly important. The environmental factor plays an important role when choosing the means of transport for your next trip. Which mode of transport is the most environmentally friendly? In this article we compare different means of transport in terms of their sustainability. Airplane CO2 emissions Airplanes are considered the most environmentally harmful means of transport. According to the Federal Environment Agency, a Boeing 747 produces an average of around 0.12 kg of CO2 per passenger and per kilometer on a long-haul trip. The Federal Office…
Sustainable travel: means of transport in comparison
According to a study by the consulting firm CE Delft, international tourism contributed around 8 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2018. For this reason, sustainable travel – also referred to as “ecotourism” or “green” – is becoming increasingly important. The environmental factor plays an important role when choosing the means of transport for your next trip. Which mode of transport is the most environmentally friendly? In this article we compare different means of transport in terms of their sustainability.
Airplane
CO2 emissions
Airplanes are considered the most environmentally harmful means of transport. According to the Federal Environment Agency, a Boeing 747 produces an average of around 0.12 kg of CO2 per passenger and per kilometer on a long-haul trip. The Federal Office for the Environment states that air traffic was responsible for a total of 3.1 percent of CO2 emissions in Germany in 2019. In addition, nitrogen oxides released at high altitudes contribute significantly to the greenhouse effect.
Train
CO2 emissions
The train is considered one of the most environmentally friendly travel alternatives. Especially compared to airplanes, CO2 emissions are significantly lower. According to Deutsche Bahn, an ICE train on the route between Berlin and Munich only emits 0.013 kg of CO2 per passenger kilometer. This corresponds to around 90 percent less than with an airplane.
electricity
Another advantage of the railway is that it is increasingly powered by renewable energy. According to Deutsche Bahn, 61 percent of the electricity used in long-distance trains came from renewable energy sources in 2020.
car
CO2 emissions
Cars are also among the largest causes of CO2 emissions. According to AUTO BILD, an average motorized mid-range car produces around 0.17 kg of CO2 per kilometer.
Car sharing and electric cars
The new generation of electric cars can represent an environmentally friendly alternative, especially if the electricity used comes from renewable energy sources. Car sharing can also help reduce the number of cars and therefore CO2 emissions.
bus
CO2 emissions
Coaches produce less CO2 per passenger per kilometer than cars and planes, although their absolute emissions rate is higher than that of trains. According to a UBA study, CO2 emissions from buses average 0.032 kg per passenger kilometer.
Bike and walk
Walking or riding a bike are the most environmentally friendly ways to travel. They are CO2 neutral because they do not use fossil fuels.
Conclusion
For sustainable travel, it is important to choose the mode of transport that has the lowest environmental impact. Trains and buses are often the most environmentally friendly means of transportation for long-distance travel, while bicycles and walking are ideal for short distances. However, there are many factors that should be taken into account, such as the number of travelers, the travel distance and whether the mode of transport is powered by renewable energy. It is important to be informed and make sustainable choices as an environmentally conscious consumer.