To avoid excessive emissions of pollutants into the atmosphere, public transport is an excellent solution. Instead of having 50 individual vehicles emitting gases onto the road, a single bus can transport those same 50 people, while trains can carry more than 500.
Promote the use of public transport is key in the fight against global warming, as it significantly reduces the number of vehicles in circulation and, consequently, the amount of emissions. It is estimated that, worldwide, Transport is responsible for around 25% of greenhouse gas emissions, mainly from CO2.
Pollution and public transport
With more than 7,5 million estimated daily users, urban public transport can be a powerful tool to reduce polluting emissions. Currently, in Spain alone, around 4,5 million people regularly use public transport. The goal is to reach 7,5 million with the improvement of infrastructure and the expansion of services.
Studies affirm that if the 3 million people who currently use their private vehicles could be attracted to public transport, emissions from the transport sector could be drastically reduced.
A key study carried out by ATUC in collaboration with the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE) revealed that the main obstacle to more people using public transport is the lack of investment in infrastructure and the perception of low efficiency.
Public Transport Financing Law in Spain
To achieve this goal, ATUC highlights the need to develop a Public Transport Financing Law, something that does not yet exist in Spain at the state level. This law would allow sufficient funds to be allocated for the creation of new infrastructures and urban areas dedicated to efficient public transport.
In addition, the importance of the transition towards more sustainable vehicles is underlined: a greater number of hybrid and electric buses, trains powered by renewable energy and larger and more efficient railway networks. This type of clean transport would help to advance the decarbonization of urban transport and meet the emissions reduction targets set out in the Paris Agreement.
Rail transport and sustainability
Rail transport in particular is one of the most sustainable solutions for the future. Compared to other means of transport such as planes or cars, trains emit significantly less CO2 and provide a much greater capacity for transporting passengers and goods.
However, in Spain, there is a large imbalance in investment railways. While up to 70% of the railway budget is invested in high-speed rail (AVE) lines, the other 30% goes to the rest of the network. This leaves many local and regional rail routes without the necessary resources for their expansion and improvement.
The Spanish Coordinator for Public and Sustainable Trains, together with Ecologists in Action, has asked both national and European Union authorities to increase and rebalance investment to ensure greater accessibility and efficiency in the use of trains. This would help reduce traffic on the roads and decrease emissions.
Household greenhouse gas emissions
The current figures from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) are clear: 71% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from households come from the use of their own vehicle. These figures are worrying and show the need for a radical change in the way we move around the city.
In 2020, transport-related CO2 emissions rose again, making it the only sector that continues to grow in emissions. At European level, transport accounts for nearly a quarter of all GHG emissions, making decarbonisation of the sector crucial to comply with climate agreements.
Sustainable future: public transport and clean energy
The commitment to reduce emissions from the transport sector cannot be achieved without a firm commitment to renewable energy and the promotion of cleaner transport. In this regard, the electrification of public transport, whether through electric vehicles or trains powered by energy sources such as solar or wind, has a crucial role to play in the future.
In Madrid, for example, electric buses have already begun to be implemented, which do not generate direct emissions, and a change in transport infrastructure is being promoted to support this type of development.
Meanwhile, maritime and air transport will also need major reforms. Recent European initiatives, such as the “ReFuelEU Aviation” and “FuelEU Maritime” schemes, are efforts in that direction, promoting the use of sustainable fuels to reduce emissions from air and maritime transport.
Implementing a fleet management system and efficient driving are also key to reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
In short, to combat global warming, a paradigm shift is needed in our cities. Strengthening public transport, encouraging the use of clean energy and reducing dependence on individual transport and fossil fuels are the most effective actions we can take.