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Carbon Intensity of Passenger Transport Modes: A Review of Emission Factors, Their Variability and the Main Drivers

Author

Listed:
  • Michel Noussan

    (Decisio S.r.l., Corso Marconi 34, 10125 Turin, Italy)

  • Edoardo Campisi

    (Decisio S.r.l., Corso Marconi 34, 10125 Turin, Italy)

  • Matteo Jarre

    (Decisio S.r.l., Corso Marconi 34, 10125 Turin, Italy)

Abstract

The transport sector is responsible for a significant amount of global carbon emissions, and several policies are being implemented at different levels to reduce its impact. To properly assess the effectiveness of planned measures, analysts often rely on average emission factors for different transport modes. However, average values often hide significant variability that stems from factors along the entire supply chain of transport modes. This review presents a comprehensive overview of research on this topic, comparing emission factors for different passenger transport modes and discussing the main drivers and parameters that affect their variability. The results are useful for researchers and policymakers to properly understand the reliability of carbon intensity indicators when evaluating the impact and effectiveness of sustainable transport policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Michel Noussan & Edoardo Campisi & Matteo Jarre, 2022. "Carbon Intensity of Passenger Transport Modes: A Review of Emission Factors, Their Variability and the Main Drivers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-16, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:17:p:10652-:d:898626
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Michel Noussan & Roberta Roberto & Benedetto Nastasi, 2018. "Performance Indicators of Electricity Generation at Country Level—The Case of Italy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-14, March.
    4. Sadia Anwar & Muhammad Yousuf Irfan Zia & Muhammad Rashid & Gerardo Zarazua de Rubens & Peter Enevoldsen, 2020. "Towards Ferry Electrification in the Maritime Sector," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-22, December.
    5. Qiao, Qinyu & Zhao, Fuquan & Liu, Zongwei & He, Xin & Hao, Han, 2019. "Life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of Electric Vehicles in China: Combining the vehicle cycle and fuel cycle," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 177(C), pages 222-233.
    6. Bigazzi, Alexander, 2019. "Comparison of marginal and average emission factors for passenger transportation modes," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 242(C), pages 1460-1466.
    7. Kortazar, Andoni & Bueno, Gorka & Hoyos, David, 2021. "Environmental balance of the high speed rail network in Spain: A Life Cycle Assessment approach," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    8. repec:cdl:uctcwp:qt6m5865v5 is not listed on IDEAS
    9. Michel Noussan & Matteo Jarre, 2021. "Assessing Commuting Energy and Emissions Savings through Remote Working and Carpooling: Lessons from an Italian Region," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-19, November.
    10. Michel Noussan & Francesco Neirotti, 2020. "Cross-Country Comparison of Hourly Electricity Mixes for EV Charging Profiles," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-14, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ana Luiza Carvalho Ferrer & Antonio Márcio Tavares Thomé, 2023. "Carbon Emissions in Transportation: A Synthesis Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-28, May.

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