GITNUXREPORT 2026

Sustainability In The Transportation Industry Statistics

The transportation industry emits huge amounts of CO2 but is adopting cleaner technologies for sustainability.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Global aviation emitted 1.03 billion tons of CO2 in 2023, representing 2.5% of total anthropogenic CO2 emissions

Statistic 2

Aircraft fuel burn efficiency improved by 25% from 2000 to 2022, saving 1.2 billion tons of CO2 cumulatively

Statistic 3

U.S. domestic aviation accounted for 2.1% of national GHG emissions in 2022, or 170 million tons CO2eq

Statistic 4

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production reached 600,000 tons in 2023, avoiding 1.5 million tons CO2 when used

Statistic 5

Long-haul flights emit 3 times more CO2 per passenger-km than short-haul, with global long-haul at 70% of aviation emissions

Statistic 6

ICAO's CORSIA scheme offset 25 million tons of CO2 from international aviation in 2023

Statistic 7

Electric vertical takeoff vehicles (eVTOL) could reduce urban air mobility emissions by 50% vs helicopters by 2030

Statistic 8

Aviation contrails contribute 57 million tons of CO2eq warming in 2022, potentially mitigable by 59% via routing changes

Statistic 9

Global air cargo emitted 100 million tons CO2 in 2023, 10% of aviation total, driven by e-commerce growth

Statistic 10

Biojet fuel blends reduced lifecycle emissions by 80% in 50+ commercial flights tested by 2023

Statistic 11

EU aviation emissions grew 20% from 2013 to 2019, now capped under ETS at 2023 levels

Statistic 12

Hydrogen-powered aircraft could cut aviation emissions 90% by 2050, per Airbus projections for 4,000 planes

Statistic 13

Noise from aviation reduced by 10 dB since 1970, correlating with 50% fuel efficiency gains

Statistic 14

International aviation bunker fuels emitted 920 million tons CO2 in 2022, excluded from national inventories

Statistic 15

Aviation biofuel use reached 0.03% of jet fuel in 2022, but scaled to 450,000 tons CO2 avoided

Statistic 16

Maritime shipping emitted 1.05 billion tons CO2 in 2022, 3% of global total, with container ships at 40% share

Statistic 17

Slow steaming reduced shipping fuel use by 10% in 2023, avoiding 50 million tons CO2 amid high bunker prices

Statistic 18

LNG-fueled ships numbered 500 globally in 2023, cutting CO2 by 20% vs heavy fuel oil

Statistic 19

Ballast water management cut invasive species spread by 90%, indirectly supporting marine ecosystem sustainability

Statistic 20

Wind-assisted propulsion on 20 ships in 2023 saved 5% fuel, or 100,000 tons CO2

Statistic 21

Global shipping methane slip from engines totaled 1 million tons CH4 in 2022, equivalent to 25 million tons CO2eq

Statistic 22

Ammonia as marine fuel could reduce lifecycle GHG by 70% by 2030 with green production

Statistic 23

EU ETS now covers 50% of shipping emissions from 2024, targeting 40 million tons CO2 reduction by 2025

Statistic 24

Ship recycling in compliant yards treated 98% of tonnage in 2023, reducing pollution vs beaching methods

Statistic 25

Hydrogen-powered ferries in Norway avoided 20,000 tons CO2 in first year of operation 2022

Statistic 26

Container ship capacity grew 4% in 2023, but efficiency gains kept CO2 intensity at 10 gCO2/ton-km

Statistic 27

Bio-methanol bunkering started in 2023, with lifecycle emissions 65% below fossil methanol

Statistic 28

Global cruise ships emitted 30 million tons CO2 in 2023, with shore power reducing port emissions 90%

Statistic 29

Methanol dual-fuel engines ordered for 200 ships by 2024, potential 15 million tons CO2 savings yearly

Statistic 30

Maritime scrubber installations on 4,000 ships by 2023 reduced SOx 90%, but increased black carbon

Statistic 31

Public transit buses in U.S. cities carried 5 billion passengers in 2022, emitting 40 million tons CO2 total

Statistic 32

Bike-sharing systems globally provided 1 billion rides in 2023, avoiding 1.5 million tons CO2 vs car trips

Statistic 33

Electric buses in China numbered 600,000 by 2023, displacing 300 million tons diesel cumulatively

Statistic 34

Congestion pricing in London reduced car km by 30%, cutting urban transport CO2 by 200,000 tons yearly

Statistic 35

Shared mobility apps cut urban vehicle ownership needs by 20%, per 2023 MIT study on 10 cities

Statistic 36

Light rail systems in EU cities emit 50 gCO2/passenger-km, 70% less than cars

Statistic 37

Micromobility (e-scooters/bikes) grew to 100 million trips in U.S. 2023, CO2 savings of 500,000 tons

Statistic 38

Autonomous shuttles in Singapore trials reduced energy use 30% vs human-driven equivalents

Statistic 39

Telecommuting post-COVID cut urban peak transport emissions 15% in 2022 across OECD cities

Statistic 40

Metro systems worldwide carried 60 billion passengers in 2022, 90% lower emissions per km than buses

Statistic 41

Car-free days in 100+ cities avoided 1 million tons CO2 in 2023 combined

Statistic 42

Demand-responsive transit in rural U.S. improved efficiency 25%, reducing CO2 10% per trip

Statistic 43

E-bike adoption in Europe reached 10 million units by 2023, saving 2 million tons CO2 annually

Statistic 44

Urban freight consolidation hubs cut delivery vehicle km 40%, CO2 reduction 30% in pilots

Statistic 45

Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) apps in Helsinki integrated modes, cutting emissions 15% for users

Statistic 46

Public bus rapid transit (BRT) systems span 7,000 km globally, serving 35 million daily with low emissions

Statistic 47

Rail transport in the EU emitted only 0.4% of total GHG emissions in 2021, or 12 million tons CO2eq, despite 8% modal share

Statistic 48

High-speed rail in China carried 2.3 billion passengers in 2022, avoiding 320 million tons CO2 vs aviation/road alternatives

Statistic 49

U.S. freight rail efficiency: 479 ton-miles per gallon diesel, emitting 90% less CO2 than trucks per ton-mile

Statistic 50

Electrified rail lines globally span 250,000 km, reducing energy use by 20-30% vs diesel

Statistic 51

Indian Railways electrified 93% of broad-gauge network by 2023, cutting CO2 by 25 million tons annually

Statistic 52

Hydrogen trains in Germany (Coradia iLint) operated 25,000 km by 2023, zero-emission equivalent to 4,000 tons diesel saved

Statistic 53

Rail modal shift in Japan: Shinkansen avoids 10 million tons CO2 yearly vs cars/planes

Statistic 54

Global rail CO2 intensity is 20 gCO2/t-km, vs 100g for trucks, enabling 80% lower emissions per freight ton-km

Statistic 55

UK rail emissions per passenger-km fell 25% from 1990-2022 through electrification, to 35 gCO2

Statistic 56

Battery-electric freight locomotives in U.S. trials cut emissions 95% on short hauls

Statistic 57

Rail freight in Brazil grew 10% in 2022, emissions stable at 15 million tons CO2 due to efficiency gains

Statistic 58

Digital signaling (ETCS) on EU rails saves 1.5% energy, or 500,000 tons CO2 yearly

Statistic 59

African rail networks emit 50% less CO2 per ton-km than roads, but cover only 5% freight volume

Statistic 60

Maglev trains in Shanghai achieve 0.12 kWh/passenger-km, 30% below conventional high-speed rail

Statistic 61

Rail track recycling in Europe reused 98% of materials in 2022, saving 2 million tons CO2 from production

Statistic 62

Rail passenger transport in India emitted 15 gCO2/pkm in 2022, vs 150g for cars

Statistic 63

In 2023, road transportation emitted 4.6 billion metric tons of CO2 globally, accounting for 24% of total energy-related CO2 emissions

Statistic 64

U.S. light-duty vehicles consumed 1.2 trillion liters of gasoline in 2022, contributing to 1.8 billion tons of CO2 emissions from road transport

Statistic 65

Heavy-duty trucks in Europe emitted 1.1 billion tons of CO2eq in 2021, representing 27% of the EU's transport emissions

Statistic 66

Global road freight transport is projected to grow by 50% in CO2 emissions by 2050 without interventions, reaching 8 GtCO2

Statistic 67

In China, passenger cars emitted 500 million tons of CO2 in 2022, up 15% from 2020 due to increased vehicle ownership

Statistic 68

Electric vehicles in road transport reduced CO2 emissions by 120 million tons globally in 2023 compared to fossil fuel equivalents

Statistic 69

India's road transport sector emitted 350 million tons of CO2 in FY2022, 14% of national total emissions

Statistic 70

Biofuel blending in road transport saved 45 million tons of CO2 in Brazil in 2022, primarily from ethanol use

Statistic 71

U.S. road transport fuel efficiency improved by 25% from 2005 to 2022, reducing emissions by 500 million tons cumulatively

Statistic 72

In 2022, SUVs and light trucks made up 65% of new road vehicle sales in the U.S., emitting 20% more CO2 per mile than sedans

Statistic 73

Global road transport NOx emissions totaled 20 million tons in 2021, with trucks contributing 60%

Statistic 74

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in road fleets avoided 2 million tons of CO2 in Japan by 2023 since deployment start

Statistic 75

EU road transport particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions fell 40% from 2010 to 2022 due to Euro 6 standards

Statistic 76

In 2023, ride-hailing services in urban areas increased road CO2 emissions by 15% per passenger-km compared to public transit

Statistic 77

Autonomous electric trucks could cut road freight emissions by 30% by 2040 through platooning, per ITF modeling

Statistic 78

In 2022, road transportation in the U.S. was responsible for 1,800 million metric tons of CO2 emissions

Statistic 79

Global passenger car fleet efficiency averaged 120 gCO2/km in 2023, down 2% from 2022

Statistic 80

Truck platooning pilots in Europe achieved 10% fuel savings, equating to 5 million tons CO2 potential yearly

Statistic 81

In 2023, BEVs comprised 18% of new car sales globally, avoiding 200 million tons CO2 over vehicle lifetimes

1/81

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Imagine our daily commutes and supply chains are generating a staggering 4.6 billion metric tons of CO2 annually, as the road transportation sector quietly drives nearly a quarter of the world's energy-related emissions.

Key Takeaways

In 2023, road transportation emitted 4.6 billion metric tons of CO2 globally, accounting for 24% of total energy-related CO2 emissions
U.S. light-duty vehicles consumed 1.2 trillion liters of gasoline in 2022, contributing to 1.8 billion tons of CO2 emissions from road transport
Heavy-duty trucks in Europe emitted 1.1 billion tons of CO2eq in 2021, representing 27% of the EU's transport emissions
Global aviation emitted 1.03 billion tons of CO2 in 2023, representing 2.5% of total anthropogenic CO2 emissions
Aircraft fuel burn efficiency improved by 25% from 2000 to 2022, saving 1.2 billion tons of CO2 cumulatively
U.S. domestic aviation accounted for 2.1% of national GHG emissions in 2022, or 170 million tons CO2eq
Rail transport in the EU emitted only 0.4% of total GHG emissions in 2021, or 12 million tons CO2eq, despite 8% modal share
High-speed rail in China carried 2.3 billion passengers in 2022, avoiding 320 million tons CO2 vs aviation/road alternatives
U.S. freight rail efficiency: 479 ton-miles per gallon diesel, emitting 90% less CO2 than trucks per ton-mile
Maritime shipping emitted 1.05 billion tons CO2 in 2022, 3% of global total, with container ships at 40% share
Slow steaming reduced shipping fuel use by 10% in 2023, avoiding 50 million tons CO2 amid high bunker prices
LNG-fueled ships numbered 500 globally in 2023, cutting CO2 by 20% vs heavy fuel oil
Public transit buses in U.S. cities carried 5 billion passengers in 2022, emitting 40 million tons CO2 total
Bike-sharing systems globally provided 1 billion rides in 2023, avoiding 1.5 million tons CO2 vs car trips
Electric buses in China numbered 600,000 by 2023, displacing 300 million tons diesel cumulatively

The transportation industry emits huge amounts of CO2 but is adopting cleaner technologies for sustainability.

Aviation

Global aviation emitted 1.03 billion tons of CO2 in 2023, representing 2.5% of total anthropogenic CO2 emissions
Aircraft fuel burn efficiency improved by 25% from 2000 to 2022, saving 1.2 billion tons of CO2 cumulatively
U.S. domestic aviation accounted for 2.1% of national GHG emissions in 2022, or 170 million tons CO2eq
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production reached 600,000 tons in 2023, avoiding 1.5 million tons CO2 when used
Long-haul flights emit 3 times more CO2 per passenger-km than short-haul, with global long-haul at 70% of aviation emissions
ICAO's CORSIA scheme offset 25 million tons of CO2 from international aviation in 2023
Electric vertical takeoff vehicles (eVTOL) could reduce urban air mobility emissions by 50% vs helicopters by 2030
Aviation contrails contribute 57 million tons of CO2eq warming in 2022, potentially mitigable by 59% via routing changes
Global air cargo emitted 100 million tons CO2 in 2023, 10% of aviation total, driven by e-commerce growth
Biojet fuel blends reduced lifecycle emissions by 80% in 50+ commercial flights tested by 2023
EU aviation emissions grew 20% from 2013 to 2019, now capped under ETS at 2023 levels
Hydrogen-powered aircraft could cut aviation emissions 90% by 2050, per Airbus projections for 4,000 planes
Noise from aviation reduced by 10 dB since 1970, correlating with 50% fuel efficiency gains
International aviation bunker fuels emitted 920 million tons CO2 in 2022, excluded from national inventories
Aviation biofuel use reached 0.03% of jet fuel in 2022, but scaled to 450,000 tons CO2 avoided

Aviation Interpretation

The aviation industry is stuck in the carbon conundrum of celebrating hard-won efficiency gains while realizing that even at its most heroic, tinkering at the margins won't stop the fact that our most convenient way to cross an ocean also cooks it.

Maritime Transportation

Maritime shipping emitted 1.05 billion tons CO2 in 2022, 3% of global total, with container ships at 40% share
Slow steaming reduced shipping fuel use by 10% in 2023, avoiding 50 million tons CO2 amid high bunker prices
LNG-fueled ships numbered 500 globally in 2023, cutting CO2 by 20% vs heavy fuel oil
Ballast water management cut invasive species spread by 90%, indirectly supporting marine ecosystem sustainability
Wind-assisted propulsion on 20 ships in 2023 saved 5% fuel, or 100,000 tons CO2
Global shipping methane slip from engines totaled 1 million tons CH4 in 2022, equivalent to 25 million tons CO2eq
Ammonia as marine fuel could reduce lifecycle GHG by 70% by 2030 with green production
EU ETS now covers 50% of shipping emissions from 2024, targeting 40 million tons CO2 reduction by 2025
Ship recycling in compliant yards treated 98% of tonnage in 2023, reducing pollution vs beaching methods
Hydrogen-powered ferries in Norway avoided 20,000 tons CO2 in first year of operation 2022
Container ship capacity grew 4% in 2023, but efficiency gains kept CO2 intensity at 10 gCO2/ton-km
Bio-methanol bunkering started in 2023, with lifecycle emissions 65% below fossil methanol
Global cruise ships emitted 30 million tons CO2 in 2023, with shore power reducing port emissions 90%
Methanol dual-fuel engines ordered for 200 ships by 2024, potential 15 million tons CO2 savings yearly
Maritime scrubber installations on 4,000 ships by 2023 reduced SOx 90%, but increased black carbon

Maritime Transportation Interpretation

The shipping industry's race to decarbonize is a messy but earnest patchwork of slow-steaming tortoises, wind-chasing innovators, and reluctant giants being nudged by policy, all trying to plug the leaks in a colossal carbon hull while still keeping global trade afloat.

Public and Urban Mobility

Public transit buses in U.S. cities carried 5 billion passengers in 2022, emitting 40 million tons CO2 total
Bike-sharing systems globally provided 1 billion rides in 2023, avoiding 1.5 million tons CO2 vs car trips
Electric buses in China numbered 600,000 by 2023, displacing 300 million tons diesel cumulatively
Congestion pricing in London reduced car km by 30%, cutting urban transport CO2 by 200,000 tons yearly
Shared mobility apps cut urban vehicle ownership needs by 20%, per 2023 MIT study on 10 cities
Light rail systems in EU cities emit 50 gCO2/passenger-km, 70% less than cars
Micromobility (e-scooters/bikes) grew to 100 million trips in U.S. 2023, CO2 savings of 500,000 tons
Autonomous shuttles in Singapore trials reduced energy use 30% vs human-driven equivalents
Telecommuting post-COVID cut urban peak transport emissions 15% in 2022 across OECD cities
Metro systems worldwide carried 60 billion passengers in 2022, 90% lower emissions per km than buses
Car-free days in 100+ cities avoided 1 million tons CO2 in 2023 combined
Demand-responsive transit in rural U.S. improved efficiency 25%, reducing CO2 10% per trip
E-bike adoption in Europe reached 10 million units by 2023, saving 2 million tons CO2 annually
Urban freight consolidation hubs cut delivery vehicle km 40%, CO2 reduction 30% in pilots
Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) apps in Helsinki integrated modes, cutting emissions 15% for users
Public bus rapid transit (BRT) systems span 7,000 km globally, serving 35 million daily with low emissions

Public and Urban Mobility Interpretation

The statistics reveal a clear and witty truth: our path to sustainable transportation isn't a single silver bullet but a scrappy, multi-modal rebellion where every bus, bike, and byte of data chips away at the old regime of emissions, proving that the future of transit is a shared, electric, and intelligently managed ride.

Rail Transportation

Rail transport in the EU emitted only 0.4% of total GHG emissions in 2021, or 12 million tons CO2eq, despite 8% modal share
High-speed rail in China carried 2.3 billion passengers in 2022, avoiding 320 million tons CO2 vs aviation/road alternatives
U.S. freight rail efficiency: 479 ton-miles per gallon diesel, emitting 90% less CO2 than trucks per ton-mile
Electrified rail lines globally span 250,000 km, reducing energy use by 20-30% vs diesel
Indian Railways electrified 93% of broad-gauge network by 2023, cutting CO2 by 25 million tons annually
Hydrogen trains in Germany (Coradia iLint) operated 25,000 km by 2023, zero-emission equivalent to 4,000 tons diesel saved
Rail modal shift in Japan: Shinkansen avoids 10 million tons CO2 yearly vs cars/planes
Global rail CO2 intensity is 20 gCO2/t-km, vs 100g for trucks, enabling 80% lower emissions per freight ton-km
UK rail emissions per passenger-km fell 25% from 1990-2022 through electrification, to 35 gCO2
Battery-electric freight locomotives in U.S. trials cut emissions 95% on short hauls
Rail freight in Brazil grew 10% in 2022, emissions stable at 15 million tons CO2 due to efficiency gains
Digital signaling (ETCS) on EU rails saves 1.5% energy, or 500,000 tons CO2 yearly
African rail networks emit 50% less CO2 per ton-km than roads, but cover only 5% freight volume
Maglev trains in Shanghai achieve 0.12 kWh/passenger-km, 30% below conventional high-speed rail
Rail track recycling in Europe reused 98% of materials in 2022, saving 2 million tons CO2 from production
Rail passenger transport in India emitted 15 gCO2/pkm in 2022, vs 150g for cars

Rail Transportation Interpretation

These astonishing global statistics confirm that rail isn't just the quiet, efficient cousin in the transportation family—it's the one secretly doing all the heavy lifting to save the planet while the others are out making a racket and a mess.

Road Transportation

In 2023, road transportation emitted 4.6 billion metric tons of CO2 globally, accounting for 24% of total energy-related CO2 emissions
U.S. light-duty vehicles consumed 1.2 trillion liters of gasoline in 2022, contributing to 1.8 billion tons of CO2 emissions from road transport
Heavy-duty trucks in Europe emitted 1.1 billion tons of CO2eq in 2021, representing 27% of the EU's transport emissions
Global road freight transport is projected to grow by 50% in CO2 emissions by 2050 without interventions, reaching 8 GtCO2
In China, passenger cars emitted 500 million tons of CO2 in 2022, up 15% from 2020 due to increased vehicle ownership
Electric vehicles in road transport reduced CO2 emissions by 120 million tons globally in 2023 compared to fossil fuel equivalents
India's road transport sector emitted 350 million tons of CO2 in FY2022, 14% of national total emissions
Biofuel blending in road transport saved 45 million tons of CO2 in Brazil in 2022, primarily from ethanol use
U.S. road transport fuel efficiency improved by 25% from 2005 to 2022, reducing emissions by 500 million tons cumulatively
In 2022, SUVs and light trucks made up 65% of new road vehicle sales in the U.S., emitting 20% more CO2 per mile than sedans
Global road transport NOx emissions totaled 20 million tons in 2021, with trucks contributing 60%
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in road fleets avoided 2 million tons of CO2 in Japan by 2023 since deployment start
EU road transport particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions fell 40% from 2010 to 2022 due to Euro 6 standards
In 2023, ride-hailing services in urban areas increased road CO2 emissions by 15% per passenger-km compared to public transit
Autonomous electric trucks could cut road freight emissions by 30% by 2040 through platooning, per ITF modeling
In 2022, road transportation in the U.S. was responsible for 1,800 million metric tons of CO2 emissions
Global passenger car fleet efficiency averaged 120 gCO2/km in 2023, down 2% from 2022
Truck platooning pilots in Europe achieved 10% fuel savings, equating to 5 million tons CO2 potential yearly
In 2023, BEVs comprised 18% of new car sales globally, avoiding 200 million tons CO2 over vehicle lifetimes

Road Transportation Interpretation

The road ahead is paved with both staggering emissions and promising solutions, but our foot is still too heavy on the accelerator when we desperately need to slam on the brakes.