Transport: Environment and negative externalities

Ever increasing demand for transport - environmental implications - transport will continue to be a major source of atmospheric pollution 

World's greatest polluters - fastest growing emitter of greenhouse gases - USA, China 

What percentage is the UK responsible for all CO2 emissions worldwide?

Around 4%

In 2005, transport was responsible for 23% of all UK gas emissions compared with 15% in 1990.

In line with the UK's commitment to the Kyoto Protocol - there has been a 'decoupling' of the relationship between the growth in CO2 emissions, private car use and economic growth as measured by total household spending.

Tighter regulations on engine and exhaust emissions have been the main reasons for this improvement. 

Negative externalities from increased transport.

Atmospheric Pollution - Negative externality because it has an effect on third parties. 

Macro scale - contributes to climate change 

Local scale - external costs have to be borne by members of the community who are NOT directly responsible for the pollution. E.g. asthma sufferers - medical proof of the link between increased transport use and increase in asthma.

Noise 

Particularly arising from air transport and road traffic in towns and cities.

Form of disturbance, unwanted by the human ear once it reaches a certain intensity.

Aircraft noises cause much more annoyance - registers a higher decibel level. 

'Leq' - measure used in an assessment of community response to aircraft noise.

A measure of 57dB from aircraft noise…