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Transport is often referred to as the problem sector: since 1990 transport emissions have risen by a fifth. Some 22 per cent of UK greenhouse gases come from road vehicles – perhaps not surprising since running a car today is cheaper in real terms than it was ten years ago. But aviation is a fast-growing problem.

Emissions for a journey from London to Edinburgh	kg CO2 per passenger
1 Plane	96.4
2 Car	71
3 Rail (high speed electric)	11.9
4 Coach	9.2

According to the Department for Transport, aviation emitted 2.5 million tonnes in 2005. But this figure only includes domestic civil aviation. If the UK’s share of international aviation is included (calculated as half of all flights taking off or landing in the UK), then emissions for aviation were more than ten times that. Even then a crude measure of carbon dioxide emissions from aviation does not reveal the true extent of the impact that flying has on the climate. Because aeroplanes create pollution high in the upper atmosphere, the impact of the emissions is magnified. How much of a difference this makes is still being studied, but conservative estimates suggest UK emissions from aviation account for 13 per cent of the UK’s climate change impacts. Emissions from shipping are also on the rise, as more and more goods are traded around the world.

Transport emissions (2006)

Excluding international flights and shipping

Including international flights and shipping

UK transport emissions are big and getting bigger. Watch out for the way they’re reported: emissions from international aviation and shipping have not generally been included. But when they are it’s clear how serious a problem air travel presents.