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Driving Factors behind Energy-Related Carbon Emissions in the U.S. Road Transport Sector: A Decomposition Analysis

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  • Rui Jiang

    (Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
    School of Design and the Built Environment, Curtin University, Perth 6102, Australia)

  • Peng Wu

    (School of Design and the Built Environment, Curtin University, Perth 6102, Australia)

  • Chengke Wu

    (Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China)

Abstract

The U.S. is the second largest contributor to carbon emissions in the world, with its road transport sector being one of the most significant emission sources. However, few studies have been conducted on factors influencing the emissions changes for the U.S. from the perspective of passenger and freight transport. This study aimed to evaluate the carbon emissions from the U.S. road passenger and freight transport sectors, using a Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index approach. Emissions from 2008 to 2017 in the U.S. road transport sector were analysed and key findings include: (1) energy intensity and passenger transport intensity are critical for reducing emissions from road passenger transport, and transport structure change is causing a shift in emissions between different passenger transport modes; and (2) the most effective strategies to reduce carbon emissions in the road freight transport sector are to improve energy intensity and reduce freight transport intensity. Several policy recommendations regarding reducing energy and transport intensity are proposed. The results and policy recommendations are expected to provide useful references for policy makers to form carbon emissions reduction strategies for the road transport sector.

Suggested Citation

  • Rui Jiang & Peng Wu & Chengke Wu, 2022. "Driving Factors behind Energy-Related Carbon Emissions in the U.S. Road Transport Sector: A Decomposition Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-17, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:4:p:2321-:d:751925
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    2. Tao Li & Lei Ma & Zheng Liu & Chaonan Yi & Kaitong Liang, 2023. "Dual Carbon Goal-Based Quadrilateral Evolutionary Game: Study on the New Energy Vehicle Industry in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-16, February.
    3. Francisco Javier López-Acevedo & María Josefa Herrero & José Ignacio Escavy Fernández & José González Bravo, 2024. "Potential Reduction in Carbon Emissions in the Transport of Aggregates by Switching from Road-Only Transport to an Intermodal Rail/Road System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-20, November.
    4. Fontaine Dubois Bissai & Bienvenu Gael Fouda Mbanga & Cyrille Adiang Mezoue & Séverin Nguiya, 2023. "An Analysis of the Driving Factors Related to Energy Consumption in the Road Transport Sector of the City of Douala, Cameroon," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-18, July.
    5. Xiao-Yang Li & Tao Chen & Bin Chen, 2023. "Research on the Influencing Factors and Decoupling State of Carbon Emissions in China’s Transportation Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-14, August.
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    7. Xiaochun Zhao & Huixin Xu & Qun Sun, 2022. "Research on China’s Carbon Emission Efficiency and Its Regional Differences," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-14, August.

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