Transport

Transport emissions decreased by 3.5% from 11.29 Mt CO2eq in 2011 to 10.90 Mt CO2eq in 2012, although emissions in 2012 were 113% higher than the 1990 transport emissions. This is the fifth year in a row that a decrease in transport sector emissions has been reported following significant growth up to 2007. The increase up to 2007 can be attributed to general economic prosperity, increasing population with a high reliance on private car travel as well as rapidly increasing road freight transport (EPA, 2013).

Transport emissions in 2012 were 24.7% lower compared with 2007. The decrease primarily reflects the impact of the economic downturn plus the changes in vehicle registration tax and road tax introduced in mid-2008. In addition, the Biofuels Obligation Scheme started operation in mid-2010 with biofuels displacing petrol and diesel use in the transport sector.