IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/appene/v334y2023ics0306261923000648.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The status quo of the EU transport sector: Cross-country indicator-based comparison and policy evaluation

Author

Listed:
  • Dolge, Kristiāna
  • Barisa, Aiga
  • Kirsanovs, Vladimirs
  • Blumberga, Dagnija

Abstract

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are declining in all major sectors in the European Union, with the exception of one sector that has seen a significant increase in GHG emissions over the past decade - transport sector. The European transport sector faces a significant challenge in achieving the decarbonization goal set by the European Green Deal. Although the European Commission is planning to introduce a set of EU-level measures, such as the inclusion of road transport in the EU Emissions Trading System, the progress of greening the transport sector has so far largely depended on national policies. To understand whether European countries are committed to rapidly adapt to low-carbon transport systems, it is crucial to evaluate what progress have national policies achieved so far in moving towards a sustainable transport system. This study used a three-level assessment of transport sector sustainability across European countries. First, this study assessed the overall sustainability level of the transport sector in all European Union Member States and the United Kingdom using the composite sustainability index method for cross-country comparison. Countries were compared using 15 transport indicators grouped into four dimensions (mobility, sustainability, innovation, and environment) based on the latest available data from 2017 obtained from Eurostat, European Commission, and Odysee-Mure databases. Second, in order to identify the dynamics of progress, Logistic Mean Division Index (LMDI) decomposition analysis was conducted to assess the changes in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the transport sector over ten years, taking into account the five main factors: emission intensity effect, renewable energy (RES) transition effect, energy intensity effect, economic growth effect, and population growth effect. Third, to analyse what has impacted the sustainability of the transport sector in countries, the study highlighted several key policies (directions) for decarbonizing transport from the analysis outlining the good practice policies from the best performing countries. The combined results of the composite sustainability index and decomposition analysis revealed significant differences between Nordic, Western, and Eastern European countries, suggesting that different approaches should be taken in developing effective sustainability policies for transport.

Suggested Citation

  • Dolge, Kristiāna & Barisa, Aiga & Kirsanovs, Vladimirs & Blumberga, Dagnija, 2023. "The status quo of the EU transport sector: Cross-country indicator-based comparison and policy evaluation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 334(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:334:y:2023:i:c:s0306261923000648
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2023.120700
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261923000648
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.apenergy.2023.120700?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ang, B. W., 2004. "Decomposition analysis for policymaking in energy:: which is the preferred method?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 32(9), pages 1131-1139, June.
    2. Sandu, Suwin & Yang, Muyi & Phoumin, Han & Aghdam, Reza Fathollahzadeh & Shi, Xunpeng, 2021. "Assessment of accessible, clean and efficient energy systems: A statistical analysis of composite energy performance indices," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 304(C).
    3. Danielis, Romeo & Scorrano, Mariangela & Giansoldati, Marco, 2022. "Decarbonising transport in Europe: Trends, goals, policies and passenger car scenarios," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    4. Claudia Kettner-Marx & Daniela Kletzan-Slamanig & Angela Köppl & Beate Littig & Irina Zielinska, 2019. "Monitoring Sustainable Energy Development: A Cross-country Comparison of Selected EU Members," WIFO Working Papers 575, WIFO.
    5. Lisa Kraus & Heike Proff, 2021. "Sustainable Urban Transportation Criteria and Measurement—A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-21, June.
    6. Tobias Haas & Hendrik Sander, 2020. "Decarbonizing Transport in the European Union: Emission Performance Standards and the Perspectives for a European Green Deal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-15, October.
    7. Kristiāna Dolge & Dagnija Blumberga, 2021. "Key Factors Influencing the Achievement of Climate Neutrality Targets in the Manufacturing Industry: LMDI Decomposition Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-23, November.
    8. Lauma Balode & Kristiāna Dolge & Dagnija Blumberga, 2021. "The Contradictions between District and Individual Heating towards Green Deal Targets," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-26, March.
    9. Łukasz Nazarko & Eigirdas Žemaitis & Łukasz Krzysztof Wróblewski & Karel Šuhajda & Magdalena Zajączkowska, 2022. "The Impact of Energy Development of the European Union Euro Area Countries on CO 2 Emissions Level," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-12, February.
    10. Daiva Makutėnienė & Dalia Perkumienė & Valdemaras Makutėnas, 2022. "Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index Decomposition Based on Kaya Identity of GHG Emissions from Agricultural Sector in Baltic States," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-26, February.
    11. Romero, Fernando & Gomez, Juan & Paez, Antonio & Vassallo, José Manuel, 2020. "Toll roads vs. Public transportation: A study on the acceptance of congestion-calming measures in Madrid," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 319-342.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Daimi, Sarra & Rebai, Sonia, 2023. "Sustainability performance assessment of Tunisian public transport companies: AHP and ANP approaches," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    2. Torkayesh, Ali Ebadi & Venghaus, Sandra, 2024. "Decoding the transport policy maze towards climate neutrality: Cross-sectoral policy landscapes," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 206(C).
    3. Laura Hörandner & Bianca Duldner-Borca & Denise Beil & Lisa-Maria Putz-Egger, 2024. "Measurement Techniques, Calculation Methods, and Reduction Measures for Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Inland Navigation—A Preliminary Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-15, April.
    4. Giovanni Ottomano Palmisano & Lucia Rocchi & Lorenzo Negri & Lea Piscitelli, 2025. "Evaluating the Progress of the EU Countries Towards Implementation of the European Green Deal: A Multiple Criteria Approach," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-29, January.
    5. Tang, Liwei & Luo, Mansi & Li, Ke & Zhang, Fan, 2024. "Driving factors and peaking of CO2 emissions: An empirical analysis of Hunan Province," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 289(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Di Peng & Haibin Liu, 2022. "Measurement and Driving Factors of Carbon Emissions from Coal Consumption in China Based on the Kaya-LMDI Model," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-19, December.
    2. Kerong Zhang & Liangyu Jiang & Wuyi Liu, 2024. "Toward the Construction of a Sustainable Society: Assessing the Temporal Variations and Two-Dimensional Decoupling of Carbon Dioxide Emissions in Anhui Province, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-25, November.
    3. Daiva Makutėnienė & Dalia Perkumienė & Valdemaras Makutėnas, 2022. "Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index Decomposition Based on Kaya Identity of GHG Emissions from Agricultural Sector in Baltic States," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-26, February.
    4. Nishijima, Daisuke, 2017. "The role of technology, product lifetime, and energy efficiency in climate mitigation: A case study of air conditioners in Japan," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 340-347.
    5. Shigemi Kagawa & Yuriko Goto & Sangwon Suh & Keisuke Nansai & Yuki Kudoh, 2012. "Accounting for Changes in Automobile Gasoline Consumption in Japan: 2000–2007," Journal of Economic Structures, Springer;Pan-Pacific Association of Input-Output Studies (PAPAIOS), vol. 1(1), pages 1-27, December.
    6. Sierra, Jaime Cevallos, 2016. "Estimating road transport fuel consumption in Ecuador," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 359-368.
    7. Shi, Changfeng & Zhi, Jiaqi & Yao, Xiao & Zhang, Hong & Yu, Yue & Zeng, Qingshun & Li, Luji & Zhang, Yuxi, 2023. "How can China achieve the 2030 carbon peak goal—a crossover analysis based on low-carbon economics and deep learning," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 269(C).
    8. Mulder, Peter & de Groot, Henri L.F. & Pfeiffer, Birte, 2014. "Dynamics and determinants of energy intensity in the service sector: A cross-country analysis, 1980–2005," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 1-15.
    9. Löschel, Andreas & Pothen, Frank & Schymura, Michael, 2015. "Peeling the onion: Analyzing aggregate, national and sectoral energy intensity in the European Union," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 52(S1), pages 63-75.
    10. Zhang, Shulin & Su, Xiaoling & Singh, Vijay P & Ayantobo, Olusola Olaitan & Xie, Juan, 2018. "Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) decomposition analysis of changes in agricultural water use: a case study of the middle reaches of the Heihe River basin, China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 422-430.
    11. Lu, I.J. & Lin, Sue J. & Lewis, Charles, 2007. "Decomposition and decoupling effects of carbon dioxide emission from highway transportation in Taiwan, Germany, Japan and South Korea," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(6), pages 3226-3235, June.
    12. Trotta, Gianluca, 2020. "Assessing energy efficiency improvements and related energy security and climate benefits in Finland: An ex post multi-sectoral decomposition analysis," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
    13. Lígia da Silva Lima & Louise Cocquyt & Lucia Mancini & Erasmo Cadena & Jo Dewulf, 2023. "The role of raw materials to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals: Tracing the risks and positive contributions of cobalt along the lithium‐ion battery supply chain," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 27(3), pages 777-794, June.
    14. Chen, Yufeng & Miao, Jiafeng, 2023. "What Determines China’s Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution? An Improved LMDI Decomposition Analysis," Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Western Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 48(2), May.
    15. Wang, Wenwen & Li, Man & Zhang, Ming, 2017. "Study on the changes of the decoupling indicator between energy-related CO2 emission and GDP in China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 11-18.
    16. de Freitas, Luciano Charlita & Kaneko, Shinji, 2011. "Decomposition of CO2 emissions change from energy consumption in Brazil: Challenges and policy implications," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(3), pages 1495-1504, March.
    17. Ling Yang & Michael L. Lahr, 2019. "The Drivers of China’s Regional Carbon Emission Change—A Structural Decomposition Analysis from 1997 to 2007," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-18, June.
    18. Jeffrey C. Peters & Thomas W. Hertel, 2017. "Achieving the Clean Power Plan 2030 CO2 Target with the New Normal in Natural Gas Prices," The Energy Journal, International Association for Energy Economics, vol. 0(Number 5).
    19. Kamila Bednarz-Okrzynska, 2024. "Transport Policy of European Union Member States in the Period 2008-2023," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(4), pages 1479-1489.
    20. Wang, Miao & Feng, Chao, 2017. "Analysis of energy-related CO2 emissions in China’s mining industry: Evidence and policy implications," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 77-87.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:334:y:2023:i:c:s0306261923000648. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.