Domestic transport remains the largest source of emissions in the UK, accounting for 28% of the nation’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
This positions it ahead of buildings and product uses, which contribute 20%, and both electricity and industry, each at 14%.
While domestic transport emissions have fallen by 12% since 1990, the decrease is minimal compared to the overall reduction of 50% in total UK emissions over the same period.
This indicates a concerning trend, with the transport sector failing to make significant progress in cutting emissions.
Breaking down transport emissions, cars and taxis are the leading culprits, responsible for 53% of emissions.
Heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) contribute 17%, and light vans account for 16%. Additionally, international aviation adds 19%, and international shipping contributes 4% to the UK’s total transport emissions.
From 2021 to 2022, there was a significant rise of 16.3 MtCO2e in total UK transport emissions. International aviation played a major role in this increase, accounting for 88% of the rise.
This negated the slight decline in domestic transport emissions seen prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Richard Dilks, Chief Executive of CoMoUK, expressed concern over the figures: “These figures are clearly worrying, as they show that with the exception of the pandemic years, emissions from domestic transport have stayed stubbornly high for 30 years.”
“If we are to have any hope of reaching net zero, it is imperative that domestic transport emissions fall sharply, but instead they are rising. This simply has to change.”
Dilks also highlighted the potential of shared transport services, which could play a vital role in reducing emissions.
“Our research has shown that a national expansion of shared transport provision could help governments and local authorities across the country drive down emissions,” he said.
Transport Minister Simon Lightwood recently acknowledged shared transport’s importance at the CoMoUK conference, stating it is “central” to the government’s goals. However, Dilks emphasized the need for actionable steps to turn this sentiment into reality.
