Transport remains Europe’s ongoing climate challenge. Rail provides a low-emission option for moving people and goods, but Europe’s dependence on road transport keeps greenhouse gas and pollutant emissions high, as per a report by the European Environment Agency published today.
Transport is crucial for modern society and the European economy, supporting over 10 million jobs and contributing about 5% to the EU’s GDP. However, it is the only major sector where greenhouse gas emissions have risen since 1990. In 2023, transport contributed to roughly a third of total EU greenhouse gas emissions, with road transport being the main contributor, according to the “Sustainability of Europe’s mobility systems 2025” report, published today.
Achieving the EU’s goals — including climate neutrality by 2050 and the Zero Pollution targets for 2030 — requires ongoing efforts. Despite progress in reducing exhaust emissions, transport continues to place significant pressure on the environment and human health. Emissions of certain pollutants like ammonia (NH3) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are still challenging to reduce, and noise pollution from transport affects millions across Europe.
Road transport remains predominant for passenger and freight travel. Passenger cars make up about 72% of transport activity in Europe, while public transport hasn’t significantly increased its share. In 2023, road transport accounted for nearly three-quarters of transport-related greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting the sector’s reliance on fossil fuels, which account for more than 90% of its energy consumption. Road traffic also is the chief source of transport-related noise, impacting around 90 million people in the EU with harmful noise levels beyond established thresholds.
Conversely, rail transport offers high energy efficiency with low greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions, making it an effective choice for reducing transport’s environmental impact, especially for medium- and long-distance travel. However, Europe’s rail system remains fragmented, and limited cross-border integration hampers its ability to compete with car and air travel. Rail freight activity decreased between 1995 and 2023, though demand is expected to rise in the next decade.
Looking forward, aviation and maritime transport are expected to account for an increasing share of Europe’s transport emissions. Their combined contribution is projected to rise from about a quarter of current transport-related greenhouse gas emissions to nearly half by 2050, emphasizing the need for sustained action across all transport modes.
The report concludes that achieving sustainable transport in Europe will require consistent public and private investment, ongoing innovation, and the effective implementation of existing legislation, including the revised Emissions Trading System (ETS) and the new ETS2, with stringent standards for road, aviation, and maritime sectors.
Making cleaner transport modes more accessible and attractive for both passengers and freight is crucial for reducing emissions, improving air quality, and decreasing noise pollution across Europe.
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