Transportation is a significant source of GHG emissions that presents different challenges and opportunities for mitigation strategies. In many communities, transportation is the most significant source of GHG emissions and challenging to address. In 2019, transportation accounted for 15% (8.7 GtCO2e) of global GHG emissions[1]. Though global GHG emissions decreased by roughly 10% in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has confirmed that emissions are now above pre-pandemic levels, now that demand has returned[2]. In the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, transportation represent about 32% of GHG emissions with many people required to commute to work[3]. Transitioning to low carbon transportation options is therefore an important strategy for climate change mitigation both globally and locally. This involves changing how people move around and can include active transportation, mass transportation, increasing clean transportation infrastructure, and changing our transportation fuels and technologies.
Active transportation involves walking or cycling to work, where feasible. This option is typically only available in certain locations where employees live relatively close to their workplace, such as city centres or small towns. The additional health benefits of active transportation are obvious as the increase in daily activity can improve employee wellbeing. However, active transportation can be weather dependent with fewer employees utilizing this option under unpleasant or inclement weather conditions. Encouraging active transportation where possible can achieve multiple benefits for the environment and human health, while helping to reduce GHG emissions. Businesses can also take a more active role in driving active transportation strategies through advocating for better transit infrastructure to support it or relocating to more walkable and bikeable communities.
Ride sharing or mass transportation reduces the GHG intensity per person transported. Though a bus itself may emit more emissions than a car, by carrying more people, a bus reduces the emissions that would be produced if each rider were to drive their own cars separately, while also reducing traffic congestion, improving efficiency, and minimizing accidents. The same logic applies to ride sharing programs and carpooling. Through encouraging ride sharing and public transportation, organizations can further reduce the emissions produced through employee travel. Effective workplace ride sharing programs require some level of encouragement, facilitation, and tracking to properly track GHG emissions reductions. Many organizations encourage ride sharing as part of their corporate sustainability employee engagement programs. In addition to ride sharing, car-sharing platforms (e.g., Zipcar) have been found to reduce annual transportation emissions by 3-18% for the average user[4]. These changes in how people get around can also change the need for car ownership, resulting in further lifecycle emissions reductions upstream.
Evolving transportation technology, such as electric batteries and hydrogen fuel cells are providing organizations with opportunities to transition to low carbon vehicle fleets. This fuel switching-based approach involves replacing conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles that rely on fossil fuels with electric vehicles or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles which produce significantly lower GHG emissions while in operation. The transition of vehicle fleets to low carbon options must consider the existing transportation infrastructure both at a facility and on the routes travelled to ensure that the new vehicles can get to where they need to go. NRCan’s Greening Government Fleets report outlines several best practices for transitioning to a low carbon fleet that may be applicable to other businesses[5]. Best practices include:
- Collecting data and internal support;
- Optimizing existing fleet and selecting appropriate low carbon vehicle technologies;
- Establishing targets and vehicle replacement schedule;
- Installing appropriate vehicle charging/ refueling infrastructure;
- Initiate action plan.
Other changes in technology are reducing the need for transportation altogether and therefore have significant implications for GHG reductions. Remote work and virtual meeting technology have rapidly evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic and forcefully demonstrated the capacity of organizations and their employees to work productively outside of the office. This shift in technology and workplace behaviour can help achieve reductions in scope three emissions, which are indirect emissions (not included in scope 2), from employee travel. Considering the large proportion of GHG emissions that come from transportation, businesses should become partners in advocating and being involved in regional discussions regarding public transit, active transportation, and walkable, complete communities.
For more information clean transportation fuels, check out the Ontario government webpage on cleaner fuels and Federal government webpage on clean fuel regulations. If interested in transitioning your vehicle fleet to EVs, visit NRCan’s Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP) webpage to learn about incentives for EV charging stations.
Bottom Line
In the GTHA, where transportation represents about 32% of GHG emissions, transitioning to low carbon transportation options is an important climate change mitigation strategy for businesses. Consider supporting your employees to use active transportation options like walking or cycling, or encourage low-carbon options such as carpooling, ride shares, using public transport, or transitioning away from internal combustion engine vehicles. Having options like working from home will also reduce carbon emissions related to commuting, business travel, and building operations.
Partners in Project Green’s Building a Climate Resilient Business Resource Kit provides a foundation in the basics of current climate science, the impacts of climate change on businesses, and mitigation and adaptation strategies. Please explore these resources and connect with us to advance your organization’s climate resiliency.
To learn more about climate change mitigation, check out:
[1] IPCC, 2022: Summary for Policymakers. In: Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change. Contribution of Working Group III to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [P.R. Shukla, J. Skea, R. Slade, A. Al Khourdajie, R. van Diemen, D. McCollum, M. Pathak, S. Some, P. Vyas, R. Fradera, M. Belkacemi, A. Hasija, G. Lisboa, S. Luz, J. Malley, (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA. doi: 10.1017/9781009157926.001
[2] World Meteorological Organization (WMO). 2022. Accessed May 30, 2023. Click here for URL.
[3] Shekarrizfard, M., and Sotes, J. 2021. 2019-2020 Carbon Emissions Inventory for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. The Atmospheric Fund. URL: https://taf.ca/custom/uploads/2021/12/TAF_Carbon-emissions-inventory-GTHA_2021.pdf
[4] Amatuni, L., Ottelin, J., Steubing, B., and Mogollon, J.M. 2020. Does car sharing reduce greenhouse gas emissions? Assessing the modal shift and lifetime shift rebound effects from a life cycle perspective. Journal of Cleaner Production. 266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.121869
[5] Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). 2018. Greening Government Fleets: A helpful guide to understand best practices. Accessed August 24, 2022. URL: https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy-efficiency/transportation-alternative-fuels/greening-government-fleets-best-practices/21314