regionEuropean Union
These graphs show the changes in emissions, emissions drivers, and policy in the Transportation sector in the EU
Emissions Transportation emissions and passenger miles and freight transport index
Passenger miles and freight transport rose rapidly before declining as a result of the recession. Emissions grew slowly but steadily until they peaked in the mid-2000s.
Emissions Drivers Emissions intensity indices—EU27 + Norway, Switzerland, and Turkey
Emissions intensity declined steadily. Passenger transport efficiency improved more than freight transport efficiency. However, within road transport, freight improved three times as much as passenger travel (18% versus 6%) between 1995 and 2010 (not shown).
Policy Emissions intensity indices
Starting from a comparatively high point, real fuel taxes were almost flat since the mid-1990s and steadily declined as a proportion of the final fuel price. Rising oil prices rather than government intervention therefore were the main increase to price signals for more efficient road transport. Shown for EU27, Norway, Switzerland, and Turkey.