Bronte Wells
Transport is a major contributor to climate change, with 95% of all transport power worldwide coming from fossil fuels. When deciding between travelling by car or plane, it can be difficult to know which is the least harmful to the environment. There are many variables to consider, including the number of people travelling, the distance, the type of vehicle, and the class of travel. For example, a flight from London to Madrid would emit 118kg of CO2 per passenger in economy, but 265kg if non-CO2 emissions are included. The same journey by train would emit 43kg of CO2 per passenger, and by car, 128g per passenger. However, adding another person to the vehicle would bring the car's emissions below that of the plane.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| CO2 emissions per gallon of fuel | Jet fuel: 21.1/21.5 pounds of CO2 per gallon; Aviation gas: 18.4 pounds of CO2 per gallon; Car fuel: 19.6/19.37 pounds of CO2 per gallon |
| Impact on global radiation balance | Aircraft flying between 16,500 and 46,000 feet alter the planet's global radiation balance through the creation of clouds, potentially contributing to climate change |
| Carbon emissions per passenger per kilometre travelled | Business class: 3x higher than economy class; First class: 4x higher than economy class |
| CO2 emissions per passenger | London to Madrid by plane (full plane): lower emissions than car with one person; London to Madrid by plane (with one additional person in the car): car has lower emissions than plane; London to Madrid by train: 43kg of CO2 per passenger; London to Madrid by plane: 118kg of CO2 per passenger |
| CO2 emissions per vehicle | 2021 Honda Insight Hybrid: 170 grams of CO2 per mile; 2020 GMC Yukon 4WD: 525 grams of CO2 per mile |
| CO2 emissions per trip | Cross-country trip (New York City to Los Angeles and back) by plane: 0.62 tons of CO2 per passenger; Same trip by car (average vehicle with 21.6 miles per gallon): 1.26 tons of carbon emissions |
| Microplastic pollution | Planes: contribute 2% of global tire microplastic pollution; Cars: create the majority of microplastic pollution |
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What You'll Learn
Number of passengers
The number of passengers is a crucial factor when comparing the carbon emissions of driving a car versus flying. Several sources suggest that driving a car with three or fewer passengers is more polluting per person than taking a plane, which will take off regardless of your presence on board.
The carbon emissions of a flight depend on the number of passengers on board. A full flight will have a lower carbon footprint per person than a partially full flight. This is because there are more people to share the carbon emissions produced by the plane. Similarly, driving with more passengers reduces the carbon footprint per person.
For example, a solo driver in a car will emit 120 pounds of CO2, whereas four people in a car will emit 30 pounds of CO2 per passenger. A London to Madrid journey emits 118kg of CO2 by plane and 43kg by train, according to EcoPassenger. However, if the car has just one passenger, the plane journey has lower emissions per passenger, even when accounting for high-altitude non-CO2 emissions. If there are two or more passengers in the car, the car journey has lower emissions per person.
The type of vehicle or plane is also important. A car that gets 21.6 miles per gallon will emit 1.26 tons of carbon emissions for a return trip from New York City to Los Angeles and back. The same trip by plane emits 0.62 tons of carbon dioxide per passenger. However, this figure varies depending on the class of the ticket. First-class and business-class seats take up significantly more room on a plane, so each passenger accounts for a larger amount of the plane's pollution.
Other factors that influence the carbon emissions of a flight include the length of the flight and the number of stops. Longer flights are more efficient overall, as cruising requires less fuel than taking off and landing. Therefore, the longer the flight, the less impact the take-off and landing phases have on the overall carbon emissions. Non-stop flights are more environmentally friendly than flights with multiple legs.
It is also worth noting that the carbon emissions per passenger-kilometer for a plane are falling much faster than those for cars due to technological advancements. However, planes remain a very polluting mode of transport, and aviation's proportion of total emissions is set to rise as other sectors become greener.
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Type of vehicle
The type of vehicle is an important factor when considering the environmental impact of a journey.
Firstly, the fuel efficiency of the vehicle should be considered. For example, an SUV or van is likely to be less fuel-efficient than a smaller, more compact car. Electric vehicles are generally much more eco-friendly than gas-powered vehicles, as they don't emit any tailpipe carbon emissions and can be recharged with solar panels.
The number of people travelling in the vehicle is also significant. Carpooling with three or more people can make driving less energy-intensive than flying, even when taking into account the increased weight of the vehicle. This is because the emissions per passenger are reduced. Similarly, a plane with a higher occupancy rate will have a lower CO2 footprint per passenger.
The distance travelled also makes a difference. Longer flights are generally more efficient than shorter ones, as cruising requires less fuel than taking off and landing. Therefore, a nonstop flight will generally have a lower environmental impact than a multi-leg trip.
Other factors to consider include the class of the plane ticket, with business and first-class seats contributing more to pollution as they take up more space on the plane. Additionally, the source of electricity for electric vehicles and trains can impact their carbon footprint, with electricity generated from coal being less environmentally friendly than nuclear power, for example.
It is worth noting that the true environmental impact of a journey is complex and depends on various factors beyond just the type of vehicle. However, when comparing flying and driving, the type of vehicle chosen can significantly impact the journey's carbon emissions and overall environmental impact.
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Distance travelled
The environmental impact of choosing one mode of transportation over another depends on several factors, including the number of people travelling, the distance travelled, and the type of vehicle.
For example, a 2013 study by the World Bank found that emissions associated with flying are three times greater in business class and even more so for first class. Private jets produce even more carbon per passenger, with estimates suggesting up to ten times the amount of a commercial jet. However, the number of passengers on a flight also makes a difference. The more people on a plane, the lower the emissions per person.
Similarly, the number of passengers in a car also affects its emissions. Driving solo results in higher emissions than flying. However, if there are four people in the car, the air pollution emitted falls to just 30 pounds of CO2 per passenger.
The distance travelled also impacts the emissions. Longer flights are more efficient than shorter ones or those with multiple layovers as taking off and landing use more fuel. Therefore, the greater the distance, the smaller the relative fuel consumption from taking off and landing.
According to the UK's Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), for long-haul flights, carbon emissions per passenger per kilometre are about three times higher for business class and four times higher for first class. BEIS also provides figures for different types of transport, finding that travelling by coach emits 27g of CO2 per person per kilometre, compared to 41g on UK rail, and 6g on the Eurostar.
While it is difficult to provide a definitive answer to which mode of transport is less polluting, it is clear that various factors, including distance travelled, influence the environmental impact of a journey.
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Direct flights
When comparing the environmental impact of driving a car versus taking a plane, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, the number of people travelling in the car is significant. If you are travelling alone, flying may be the more environmentally-friendly option, as the emissions per passenger are lower for a full plane than a car with a single occupant. However, adding just one more person to the car can tip the balance, with the car becoming the greener choice. The longer the distance, the more this logic holds true, as the emissions produced during take-off and landing—the most polluting parts of a flight—account for a larger proportion of shorter flights. Therefore, direct, non-stop flights are preferable to multi-leg trips.
The type of plane and class of travel also make a difference. Newer planes can be more efficient, and some airlines are better at filling seats than others. First-class and business-class seats take up significantly more room on the plane, so your carbon footprint is larger as you are responsible for a greater proportion of the plane's emissions.
Other ways to reduce your carbon footprint when flying include packing light and opting for carry-on luggage only, as well as choosing airlines that use biofuels and energy-saving technologies.
While it is challenging to make a direct comparison between the two modes of transport, some sources suggest that planes pollute up to 50 times more than high-speed electric trains and up to 10 times more than buses over a 500-kilometre journey. Additionally, the act of flying at high altitudes can contribute to climate change by altering the planet's global radiation balance and changing solar energy levels in the atmosphere.
On the other hand, cars create the majority of microplastic pollution from tyre wear, which is a significant environmental concern as microplastics have been found in oceans, mountains, and human breast milk.
In terms of fuel consumption, planes and cars burn similar amounts of fuel per gallon, but planes use a tremendous amount of fuel during takeoff and cruising, making them less efficient overall. Electric vehicles, carpooling, and public transportation are generally better for the environment than flying, especially over long distances.
In summary, when deciding between driving and flying, it is essential to consider the number of people travelling, the distance, and the type of vehicle or plane. While both options have environmental impacts, making informed choices can help reduce your carbon footprint.
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Carbon offsetting
The number of people in a car or plane can affect the carbon emissions per person. For instance, a car with three or more people is less energy-intensive than flying, even when accounting for the increased weight. Similarly, choosing a plane increases the occupancy rate, and if the plane is full, it can have a lower CO2 footprint per person than a car with fewer passengers.
However, planes remain one of the most polluting means of transport, along with cars. For example, a Paris-New York flight emits about 1 ton of CO2. In addition, planes use a tremendous amount of fuel during takeoff and landing, and while cruising requires less fuel, longer flights are more efficient overall.
To reduce the carbon footprint of travel, carbon offsetting can be used. Carbon offsetting is a way to compensate for an aircraft or vehicle's carbon emissions by investing in carbon reduction projects. For example, projects may involve planting trees, building solar panels, or implementing clean cook stoves. These projects reduce or remove greenhouse gas emissions, allowing individuals and businesses to compensate for their carbon dioxide emissions. Carbon offsetting can be purchased for flights, car trips, and other types of travel.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on several factors, such as the number of people travelling, the type of vehicle, and the distance travelled. Generally, if you're travelling alone, flying is more environmentally friendly than driving a car. However, if you have three or more people in the car, driving becomes less polluting per person than flying.
Longer flights are more efficient overall as cruising requires less fuel. Therefore, for longer distances, flying may be a more environmentally friendly option than driving.
There are several web-based carbon calculators available, such as CoolCalifornia, Nature Conservancy, ICAO, Terrapass Flight Carbon Calculator, and Google's flight emissions calculator. These tools can help you estimate the carbon emissions associated with different travel options and make more informed decisions.
Trains, coaches, and ferries often have lower emissions per passenger than planes or cars. For example, travelling by coach emits 27g of CO2 per person per kilometre, while a ferry emits 18g of CO2 per passenger kilometre for a foot passenger. Electric vehicles are also a more eco-friendly option for road trips as they don't emit tailpipe carbon emissions.
