How do the different forms of transport we take rank against each other in the fight against carbon emissions?

CO2 in motion!

Whether you're stuck in the daily commute,

it's pretty much impossible to avoid  using some form of transport in our lives.

Around a quarter of all greenhouse gas  emissions in the European Union

come from transport  in the form of carbon dioxide.

MEPs agreed to reduce  greenhouse gas emissions,

compared to 1990 levels,  by 40% by 2030.

They also called for a 40%  energy efficiency target

and a binding 30% target  for renewable energy.

Just which are the worst offenders  when it comes to passenger travel?

If I decide to get the train, well,  with 156 passengers on board with me,

that would cause 14 grams of CO2  per passenger per kilometre.

But if I want to travel by car,  well, with four passengers inside,

that would produce around 42 grams  of CO2 per passenger per kilometre.

Of course, another option  is the electric car,

but it depends very much  how the electricity is produced.

If it's by coal, this could be  even more polluting than a normal car.

But if it's from renewable sources, it could  be one of the cleanest forms of energy.

Well, with 13 people on board, that would  produce an average of 68 grams of CO2

Good morning, captain.  Are we ready to go?

that would produce around 116 grams  of CO2 per passenger per kilometre.

Hi! So, if I fancy going by motorbike...

With one passenger, a bike would produce  around 60 grams of CO2 per kilometre.

As with all the figures from  the European Environment Agency,

so if you take the average statistic  of 1.2 people on a motorbike,

So how about if I decide to get the plane?

that produces 285 grams of CO2  per passenger per kilometre.

That makes going by air by far  the highest polluting form of transport.

Really, if you want to go  completely carbon free,

you can’t beat the trusty  two wheels of a bike.