Cut Carbon from Cars—Let’s Drive Less
Created By RISC | 4 hours ago
Last modified date : 4 hours ago
Did you know that in 2024, global carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions reached a record high of around 41.6 billion metric tons, up from 40.6 billion metric tons in 2023?
These emissions come from many sectors—energy, industry, agriculture and land use, and transportation. Among them, transportation plays a critical role, not only in global logistics but also in our daily lives, as we continue to depend heavily on cars and other vehicles for mobility.
When compared with other sectors, transportation ranks fourth, accounting for about 15% of total emissions—following energy (34%), industry (24%), and agriculture, forestry, and land use (22%).
Many people assume cars produce less CO₂ than other forms of transport. In reality, almost half of all transport-related CO₂ emissions come from private cars and vans. This highlights that climate change is not driven only by factories or large-scale industries in major economies—it’s also shaped by the everyday choices we make each time we start the car to commute, run errands, or go shopping.
22 September is World Car Free Day—an ideal moment to cut down on car use and embrace public transport. This shift not only reduces emissions and protects the planet but also improves our health by lowering exposure to harmful air pollution.
Real estate development can play a key role in this transition. By designing communities that encourage walking and reduce reliance on cars, developers can help lower emissions on a broader scale. The Forestias, for example, has been master-planned with extensive pedestrian pathways, shaded green routes that make walking inviting, and minimized road space so cars are used only when truly necessary. This approach fosters enjoyable walking experiences while promoting both sustainability and healthier lifestyles.
Story by Sirapach Mangkang, Geographic Information System (GIS) specialist, RISC
Reference by
https://www.undp.org/thailand/stories/climate-agriculture-ghg
https://ourworldindata.org/travel-carbon-footprint
https://www.statista.com/chart/30890/estimated-share-of-co2-emissions-in-the-transportation-sector/