The Transport and Environment Reporting Mechanism (TERM) explores the environmental impact of transport. For the first time, the report considers a comprehensive set of quantitative targets proposed by the European Commission’s 2011 roadmap on transport.

“Emissions levels of almost all pollutants from transport fell in 2009, as there was a drop in demand,” Professor Jacqueline McGlade, EEA Executive Director, said. “But this fall was due to the economic recession. So now we need to see a more fundamental shift in Europe’s transport system, so that emissions do not increase even in times of strong economic growth”.

The EEA report on transport and the environment shows that some efficiency gains have been made. For example, new cars in 2010 were approximately a fifth more efficient than in 2000. However, these relatively modest gains are often outpaced by growing demand, even if the recession slowed activity in some areas. Between 1990 and 2009, demand for transport grew by approximately one third, leading to a 27 % increase in greenhouse gases (GHGs) from transport in the same period.

New targets proposed in the Commission’s Roadmap will frame policy making at the European, national and municipal level in order to tackle environmental issues connected to transport. The report shows there are significant opportunities for policy makers to address these problems coherently, for example by addressing air quality and climate change together.

For the first time, the EEA has developed a baseline to assess progress towards the transport sector’s environmental targets. These include targets for greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption and noise. A core set of 12 indicators has been developed, spanning a wide range of policy areas.

Key findings

Transport was responsible for 24 % of all EU GHG emissions in 2009. The Roadmap states that EU Member States are required to reduce GHGs from transport by 60 % by 2050, compared to 1990 levels. Since emissions actually increased by 27 % between 1990 and 2009, the EU must make an overall 68 % reduction between 2009 and 2050.

Annual energy consumption from transport grew continuously between 1990 and 2007 in the EEA member countries. While total energy demand from transport fell 4 % from 2007-2009, the upward trend is likely to resume with economic growth.

Air quality objectives were exceeded in many areas. For nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which can cause asthma and other respiratory problems, the annual limit values were exceeded at 41 % of traffic monitoring stations in 2009.

Particulate matter (PM10) from transport also causes serious health problems. In 2009 the daily limit value for PM10 was exceeded at 30 % of the traffic sites across the EU-27.

Almost 100 million people were exposed to damaging long-term average levels of noise from road vehicles on major roads.

The average real price of road transport fuels (calculated as unleaded petrol equivalent, inclusive of duties and taxes) was EUR 1.14 per litre in June 2011, in real terms 15 % higher than in 1980. This means that the price of petrol has increased by less than 0.5 percentage points per year in real terms on average, meaning that fuel prices are not sending strong signals to encourage more efficient transport choices.

The share of alternative fuelled cars on the road has grown steadily, comprising more than 5 % of the fleet in 2009. Most of these were using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), while electric vehicles made up 0.02 % of the total fleet.

Roads, railways and motorways are cutting up Europe’s landscape into ever smaller parcels, with serious consequences for biodiversity. Nearly 30 % of land in the EU is moderately, highly or very highly fragmented, restricting movement and breeding of many different species.

The study is one of three pilot projects being launched in the latest stage of the Climeport environmental initiative, which was set up in May 2009 by six Mediterranean ports together with regional energy suppliers and academics.      

In the other studies, the Piraeus and Koper (Slovenia) authorities are to define the selection criteria for port tenants and suppliers with regard to climate change considerations, while Algeciras and Valencia are to evaluate the role of energy-efficient systems in mitigating climate change.  All three projects are due for completion next April.

Climeport was established to enable the ports to measure their carbon footprint and share solutions for reducing air emissions, energy consumption and waste material.  A booklet listing best practices is currently being produced for general distribution.  

Designed to work with proven HR Wallingford ecological models, the new model is an important first step in assessing the impact of underwater noise on fish and sea mammal behaviour. It can be applied in marine renewable energy, oil and gas extraction, dredging and other settings.

“Our new underwater noise-impact modelling tool is being designed to assist environmental impact assessment practitioners and developers,” says HR Wallingford Environment Group Manager, Nicola Clay. “In this topical and increasingly important area, our new tool will help them to apply the best available science to a wide range of situations.”

Increased scrutiny

The significant noise generated by marine construction and operation, and its possible effects on marine life, have come under increased scrutiny worldwide. Where activities take place in and near sensitive marine areas, there is particular concern.

Within the European Union, sound is now a recognised pollutant at both project and regional seas levels.

In the UK, construction has started of ‘Round 3’ windfarms, some of the largest to be built in British waters, and there is an urgent need to understand their impact on marine life.

How the new model works

The model uses temporally and spatially varying parameters such as tidal water depth, flow velocity, salinity, temperature and bathymetry from HR Wallingford’s hydrodynamic model simulations.

Modelled noise amplitude and frequency are used as inputs, or ‘behavioural cues’. These are then inputted into HR Wallingford’s established and successful dynamic ecological response models, enabling users to assess marine-species responses to human disturbances.

A construction contract was awarded to USS Cal Builders, Inc. at the November 8 meeting of the Board of Port Commissioners. The company, headquartered in Stanton, California, has built several public facilities, including the City of Costa Mesa’s police station, the City of Vernon, California’s, fire station, and numerous educational facilities. Infrastructure projects the company has worked on include the widening of 12 miles of State Route 22 in Garden Grove, California. That project included the construction of 10 new bridges. USS Cal Builders, Inc. will begin construction of the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan Phase I project on January 5, 2012. Phase I will be broken into Phase 1A, which includes the area of West Broadway from North Harbor Drive to the railroad tracks, and Phase 1B, which includes the area of North Harbor Drive along the waterfront from the B Street Pier to the Navy Pier.

The North Embarcadero Visionary Plan Phase I will beautify the waterfront and create a new public space that will welcome residents and visitors. A joint project between the Port, the City of San Diego and Centre City Development Corporation (CCDC), it also includes significant improvements to the roadways, utilities, and storm water systems.

The work includes a 105-foot wide esplanade with formal gardens, plazas, shade pavilions and a waterfront promenade. Public artwork by internationally-acclaimed artist Pae White will be integrated into the esplanade architecture. Other features are a new restroom, two pavilions, a café building and an information center.

The Port, the City of San Diego and CCDC will be hosting a groundbreaking ceremony at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012. Construction is anticipated to take about 18 months.