Unraveling CO2 emission dynamics in home-work mobility: Insights from two French urban areas of Lyon and Lille

The transport sector faces a critical challenge, balancing the growing demand for mobility with the urgent need to reduce CO₂ emissions. Addressing this challenge requires a comprehensive understanding of mobility patterns and the factors influencing CO₂ emissions. This study focuses on the French urban areas of Lyon and Lille to examine CO₂ emissions associated with home-work mobility. Combining commuting data from the national census and household travel surveys, the study uses multiple linear regression analysis to assess CO₂ emissions linked to home-work mobility. The analysis considers factors at the socio-economic, household, and urban form levels. The results show that full-time employment, larger households, and vehicle ownership drive higher CO₂ emissions due to longer commutes and car dependency. Compact, well-connected urban areas reduce CO₂ emissions by enabling shorter travel and greater public transport use, while dispersed structures increase emissions through extended commutes. Public transport accessibility strongly mitigates CO₂ emissions, highlighting the need for sustainable urban planning policies promoting alternative solutions to the car.