As part of global efforts to reduce emissions, the development of electric vehicles is being strongly promoted. The organization Transport & Environment (T&E) has compiled a report on the state of European transport, highlighting that the increasing number of electric cars on the roads will help Europe save 20 million tons of carbon dioxide this year. However, despite the growing number of electric vehicles, the concurrent rise in air traffic remains a pressing issue.
In 2024, the European transport sector emitted 1.05 billion tons of CO2, marking a five percent decrease compared to 2019. This decline is largely attributed to the adoption of electric vehicles.
Nevertheless, emissions from air transport continue to rise. European airlines emitted 143 million tons of carbon dioxide last year, reflecting a nearly 10 percent increase compared to 2023. Similarly, emissions from maritime transport remain high, amounting to 195 million tons of CO2 equivalent.
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Both sectors are now included in the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS), meaning that companies in these industries must purchase allowances for their CO2 emissions. Revenue from the sale of these allowances is estimated at five billion euros and could rise to 30 billion euros annually by the end of the decade. According to T&E, these funds could be used to bridge the price gap between green fuels and traditional fossil fuels.
While Europe has made significant progress in reducing emissions through the expansion of electric vehicles, challenges such as the rising emissions from air and maritime transport persist. Therefore, it is crucial for the EU to remain committed to green policies and continue investing in sustainable technologies to secure a cleaner and more energy-independent future.
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