Transport in Europe faces significant climate challenges, with rail offering a low-emission alternative for people and goods. However, dependence on road transport keeps emissions high, says the European Environment Agency. Transport supports over 10 million jobs and contributes roughly 5% of the EU’s GDP but is the only significant sector with increased emissions since 1990. In 2023, transport made up about a third of total EU emissions, mostly from road transport, as per the Sustainability of Europe’s mobility systems 2025 report.
Achieving EU targets like climate neutrality by 2050 and Zero Pollution by 2030 requires ongoing effort. While progress has been made in cutting exhaust emissions, transport still pressures the environment and health. Pollution from ammonia and nitrous oxide is hard to reduce, and noise pollution affects millions across Europe.
Road transport dominates, with passenger cars making up 72% of activity, and public transport’s share remains stagnant. Road transport contributed to nearly three-quarters of emissions in 2023 due to heavy dependence on fossil fuels. It also causes most transport-related noise, affecting about 90 million people.
Rail transport is energy-efficient and has low emissions, presenting an effective option to reduce transport’s environmental impact, especially for medium to long distances. Despite its potential, Europe’s rail system is fragmented, limiting its competitiveness with car and air travel. Freight rail activity decreased between 1995 and 2023, though demand may rise in the next decade.
Aviation and maritime transport are expected to constitute a growing portion of emissions, potentially rising from a quarter today to nearly half by 2050, underscoring the need for ongoing action across all modes.
The report emphasizes the need for public and private investment, innovation, and effective legislation implementation, such as the revised Emissions Trading System (ETS) and ETS2 for road, aviation, and maritime transport. Making cleaner transport options more accessible and appealing is crucial for cutting emissions, improving air quality, and reducing noise pollution in Europe.
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