Vienna has the lowest CO2 emissions in traffic

In seven out of nine federal states, road traffic is now the largest cause of CO2 emissions. This is shown by a recent analysis by the Austrian Transport Club (VCÖ), which was published on Friday. According to this, traffic-related emissions were recently above the 1990 level in all federal states – despite interim declines since 2019.

Vienna with the lowest CO2 emissions per capita

In a comparison of federal states, Vienna has the lowest traffic-related emissions with 1,320 kilograms of CO2 per capita. According to VCÖ expert Michael Schwendinger, this is due to the well-developed public transport network and the short distances in the urban area: "Many everyday routes can be covered on foot in Vienna."

Western federal states also perform relatively well. In Vorarlberg, the per capita emissions in the transport sector are 1,905 kilograms, in Tyrol despite high transit load 2,060 kilograms, in Salzburg 2,140 kilograms.

Highest values in Burgenland and Carinthia

At the upper end of the scale is Burgenland with 2,660 kilograms of CO2 per capita, followed by Carinthia with 2,535 kilograms and Lower Austria with 2,520 kilograms. These differences are due, among other things, to lower public transport coverage, longer everyday distances, and a higher share of car traffic, according to the VCÖ.

Declines since 2019, but still high need for action

The VCÖ positively highlights that in all federal states, CO2 emissions from traffic have decreased compared to 2019 and the previous peak in 2005 – despite population growth. The decline was particularly strong in Vienna with around 30 percent, followed by Vorarlberg and Salzburg with around 20 percent each. In Burgenland, the decline in the same period was about 15 percent.

Given the fact that traffic still dominates the climate balance in the majority of federal states, the VCÖ calls for increased measures in the mobility sector – such as further expansion of public transport, more incentives for active mobility (cycling and walking), and a reform of commuter subsidies.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.