Transport accounts for around one-third of global CO2 emissions.

Transport

Transport accounts for around 1/3rd of global CO2 emissions. Transportation by land and sea can easily be powered in ways that emit less CO2 and the technologies to achieve this either exist or are on the horizon. Air transport, however, is fast growing and not likely to be fuelled by anything but fossil fuels. It has been estimated that by 2030 ¼ of the UK’s CO2 emissions may come from air travel. (The Weather Makers, Tim Flannery, 2005). More and more people are now choosing to avoid air travel for these reasons.

An average Australian household generates close to 6 tonnes of greenhouse gas and spend around $8,000 each year on transport of which $2,500 is for fuel. Some households spend more than $13,000 each year on transport.

Standard annual small vehicle emissions around 5 tonnes CO2 per year. 4 wheel drive vehicles pump out around 8-10 tonnes per annum for the same mileage. Swap your bigger car for a more fuel efficient car.  Walk whenever possible, take public transport or cycle. Electric powered regenerative pushbikes available eg. Avanti Electra approx. $1,500 or electric motor scooters are now available: EVT scooter, approx. $4995.

HYBRID CARS generally have a petrol engine as well as an electric motor powered by a battery pack that recharges during normal driving. The electric motor kicks in at various stages to save petrol (Toyota Pruis, Honda Civic hybrid). See NRMA’s, Open Road Nov/Dec. 2006, on how to save fuel and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Transport offsets –  You can offset your CO2 emissions by paying a specific amount of money, generally only a few dollars a week. The amount is based on vehicle size, capacity & your  average usage.

• Climate Friendly is a Green Power broker offering 100% accredited Green Power deals nationally for households and businesses. They also offer a travel offset for vehicle and plane travel. Climate Friendly does an assessment of the carbon cloud/footprint per person from vehicle use, or travel by plane – based on distance travelled, size of engine, number of trips. The small amount paid for the offset is used to generate more wind power for the electricity grid.

• Greenfleet does a travel offset for vehicles. Greenfleet plant trees to offset the carbon emissions. A few other companies provide similar tree planting deals, but  Climate Friendly appears to be the only company that puts more Green Power directly into the grid.

Fuels– ethanol, biodiesel, hybrids & other alternatives.
BIODIESEL – A diesel fuel manufactured by enhancing the chemical composition of oils such as vegetable, canola and coconut oils and animal fats.
DIESEL – Rather than being ignited in an engine by the spark from a  spark plug, diesel fuel, obtained through the partial distillation of crude oil, is designed to combust in the heat of highly compressed air in the chamber of an internal combustion engine.
ETHANOL – An alcohol produced by the fermentation of plant juice with high levels of sugar, or from crops with high levels of carbohydrates such as wheat.
FUEL CELL – Fuel cells convert hydrogen and oxygen into electricity and heat. The electricity can be used to power an electric motor, and the only emissions are heat and water.
HYDROGEN – Considered the ultimate clean fuel as it burns pollution-free, producing only heat and water vapour. While we currently lack the infrastructure to fuel cars with hydrogen, it’s seen as the fuel of the future.
LPG - Liquified Petroleum Gas is a mix of propane and butane – hydrocarbon gases that turn to liquid when compressed. It comes from oil wells and oil refineries.
SOLAR POWER – solar cells convert sunlight into electricity, which can be used to power an electric motor or to produce fuels such as hydrogen.