Travel footprints in the nordics

Abstract

This study provides analyses of carbon footprint survey data from about 7500 respondents in the Nordics to present an overview of Nordic personal travel footprints. The study considers the spatial distribution of travel footprints, the influence of climate concern, and how the footprints fit within the 1.5-degree compatible threshold for 2030. Spatial variability from urban to rural areas differed from country to country. Low climate concern was linked to higher local and long-distance travel emissions. Travel footprints in all countries exceed the recommended threshold level, indicating a need for rapid action to reduce travel emissions in upcoming years. Moreover, there are indications that people who currently meet the threshold could belong to lower socio-economic groups, raising concern about meeting the travel needs of everyone. The study further highlights the context-dependence of the transport sector, even among countries with a similar background, which should be considered in mitigation policy.