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Economic growth and transport: On the road to sustainability

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  • Cátia Sousa
  • Catarina Roseta‐Palma
  • Luís Filipe Martins

Abstract

Transport sustainability is an essential driving force towards achieving sustainable development. In particular, greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction policies cannot overlook the growing importance of the transport sector as economies expand. In this context, it is important to assess the relationship between carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the transport sector and economic growth, in order to design adequate transport policies. This paper tests the stated relationship for the Portuguese transport sector, using a non‐linear cointegration methodology for the first time in this field. The main conclusion is that gross domestic product (GDP) and CO2 emissions from transport exhibit an increasing monotonic relationship, indicating that economic growth per se will be insufficient to mitigate the emissions. Therefore, it is necessary to search for concrete public policies that can influence both passenger travel behaviour and freight mobility plans, so as to reduce CO2 emissions without compromising economic development.

Suggested Citation

  • Cátia Sousa & Catarina Roseta‐Palma & Luís Filipe Martins, 2015. "Economic growth and transport: On the road to sustainability," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 39(1), pages 3-14, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:natres:v:39:y:2015:i:1:p:3-14
    DOI: 10.1111/1477-8947.12060
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    Cited by:

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    2. Ştefan Cristian Gherghina & Mihaela Onofrei & Georgeta Vintilă & Daniel Ştefan Armeanu, 2018. "Empirical Evidence from EU-28 Countries on Resilient Transport Infrastructure Systems and Sustainable Economic Growth," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-34, August.
    3. Mohsen Momenitabar & Raj Bridgelall & Zhila Dehdari Ebrahimi & Mohammad Arani, 2021. "Literature Review of Socioeconomic and Environmental Impacts of High-Speed Rail in the World," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-27, November.
    4. Beibei Guo & Jinchuan Ke, 2020. "The Impacts of High-speed Rail on Sustainable Economic Development: Evidence from the Central Part of China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-19, March.
    5. Dongshan Ma & Shengqiang Zhang & Jiayu Zhao, 2022. "The High-Speed Railway Opening and Audit Fees: Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-19, October.
    6. Elena Cigu & Daniela Tatiana Agheorghiesei & Anca Florentina Gavriluță (Vatamanu) & Elena Toader, 2018. "Transport Infrastructure Development, Public Performance and Long-Run Economic Growth: A Case Study for the Eu-28 Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-22, December.
    7. Piotr Rosik & Julia Wójcik, 2022. "Transport Infrastructure and Regional Development: A Survey of Literature on Wider Economic and Spatial Impacts," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-19, December.

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