Carbon dioxide emissions
One-fifth of Helsinki’s carbon dioxide emissions
Transport and traffic cause about 20 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions in Helsinki. Cars cause about half of these emissions.
Carbon dioxide emissions from transport and traffic have remained largely unchanged in recent years or diminished somewhat, although traffic volumes have grown. The positive development is due to new automotive technologies and lower-emission vehicles.
A reform in vehicle taxation in 2008 has increased the popularity of diesel vehicles and effectively reduced the specific emissions of new vehicles: the average carbon dioxide emission of new cars registered in 2012 was 136 grams per kilometre; before the reform, the average emission was 177 grams per kilometre. Increased use of biofuels has also reduced emissions.
Marked reductions in emissions targeted
According to the Helsinki Metropolitan Area climate strategy, per-capita emissions from transport and traffic should be cut by 20 percent from the 1990 level by 2030.
No carbon dioxide emissions from Helsinki rail transport
Helsinki City Transport shifted to zero-carbon hydropower in its rail transport in 2012.
Aircraft and ships use a great deal of energy
Air traffic produces a great deal of carbon dioxide, because emissions per aircraft are high and distances are long. One long flight can multiply a person’s annual energy consumption and emissions.
In sea transport, high-speed vessels use the most energy per passenger kilometre. However, journeys by sea are often shorter than flights, so their total energy consumption is lower than that of long flights.
The carbon dioxide emissions of ships have declined in recent years, but on a long term the overall emissions of shipping have increased.