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Transport and Carbon Emissions in the United States: The Long View

Author

Listed:
  • Lee Schipper

    (Global Metropolitan Studies, University of California, Berkeley / 1950 Addison St., Suite 202, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA)

  • Calanit Saenger

    (Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of California, Berkeley / 207 Giannini Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA)

  • Anant Sudardshan

    (Precourt Energy Efficiency Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA)

Abstract

The following analysis traces U.S. transport CO 2 emissions in combustion by mode for 1960–2008. Changes in emissions are divided into components related to overall population and economic growth, transport mode shift, changes in the ratio of fuel used to passenger or tonne-km of activity, and changes in the CO 2 content of fuels. Where data permit we show how changes in vehicle utilization affected CO 2 emissions. We comment on factors causing the changes in components of emissions. A Log-Mean Divisia Index and Laspeyres decompositions of the 1960–2008 changes are calculated. From this decomposition we speculate to what extent the factors associated with the increases in CO 2 emissions since 1960 would be important in the future, and what other factors could reduce emissions. This thorough decomposition is imperative for the crafting of transport policy that aims to address climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • Lee Schipper & Calanit Saenger & Anant Sudardshan, 2011. "Transport and Carbon Emissions in the United States: The Long View," Energies, MDPI, vol. 4(4), pages 1-19, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:4:y:2011:i:4:p:563-581:d:11813
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Cited by:

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    7. Clare Hanmer & Charlie Wilson & Oreane Y. Edelenbosch & Detlef P. van Vuuren, 2022. "Translating Global Integrated Assessment Model Output into Lifestyle Change Pathways at the Country and Household Level," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-31, February.
    8. Loo, Becky P.Y. & Li, Linna, 2012. "Carbon dioxide emissions from passenger transport in China since 1949: Implications for developing sustainable transport," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 464-476.
    9. Jinyan Luo & Chengbo Xu, 2025. "Industrial Structure Upgrading and Carbon Emission Intensity: The Mediating Roles of Green Total Factor Productivity and Labor Misallocation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-27, August.
    10. Xu, X.Y. & Ang, B.W., 2013. "Index decomposition analysis applied to CO2 emission studies," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 313-329.
    11. Loo, Becky P.Y. & Tsoi, Ka Ho & Banister, David, 2020. "Recent experiences and divergent pathways to transport decoupling," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    12. Claudia Kettner & Daniela Kletzan-Slamanig & Angela Köppl, 2015. "The EU Emission Trading Scheme: sectoral allocation and factors determining emission changes," Journal of Environmental Economics and Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 4(1), pages 1-14, March.
    13. Brand, Christian & Anable, Jillian & Tran, Martino, 2013. "Accelerating the transformation to a low carbon passenger transport system: The role of car purchase taxes, feebates, road taxes and scrappage incentives in the UK," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 132-148.
    14. Sadri, A. & Ardehali, M.M. & Amirnekooei, K., 2014. "General procedure for long-term energy-environmental planning for transportation sector of developing countries with limited data based on LEAP (long-range energy alternative planning) and EnergyPLAN," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 831-843.
    15. Lipscy, Phillip Y. & Schipper, Lee, 2013. "Energy efficiency in the Japanese transport sector," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 248-258.
    16. Albert, Adrian & Schaefer, Andreas, 2013. "Demand for freight transportation in the U.S.: a high-level view," 54th Annual Transportation Research Forum, Annapolis, Maryland, March 21-23, 2013 206946, Transportation Research Forum.
    17. Chang, Chun-Ping & Dong, Minyi & Sui, Bo & Chu, Yin, 2019. "Driving forces of global carbon emissions: From time- and spatial-dynamic perspectives," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 70-80.
    18. Plambeck, Erica L., 2012. "Reducing greenhouse gas emissions through operations and supply chain management," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 34(S1), pages 64-74.
    19. Antonia Walter & Maximilian Held & Giacomo Pareschi & Hermann Pengg & Reinhard Madlener, 2020. "Decarbonizing the European Automobile Fleet: Impacts of 1.5 °C-compliant Climate Policies in Germany and Norway," FCN Working Papers 18/2020, E.ON Energy Research Center, Future Energy Consumer Needs and Behavior (FCN).
    20. Ma, Dan & Zhu, Yanjin, 2024. "The impact of economic uncertainty on carbon emission: Evidence from China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    21. Eom, Jiyong & Schipper, Lee & Thompson, Lou, 2012. "We keep on truckin': Trends in freight energy use and carbon emissions in 11 IEA countries," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 327-341.

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