Five tips for living more sustainably - UNEP
Opting for plant-based diets when possible is the most effective way to reduce the wide-ranging impacts of food consumption. Agricultural ...
95 per cent
Approximately <anchor>95 per cent</anchor> of the world’s transport is still fossil-fuel-powered and the transport sector directly accounts for 23 per cent of global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. Using public or shared transport, or even better, walking and cycling, can help reduce emissions – and air pollution. It can also encourage a shift in the way planners design cities.
Why does transport matter? | UNEP - UN Environment Programme
Why does transport matter? \| UNEP - UN Environment Programme

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![](https://cdn.unenvironment.org/s3fs-public/2017-07/3_3929887714_5a7d62a01c_o_0.jpg)

# Why does transport matter?

In Transport

## Transport

- [Why does transport matter?](/explore-topics/transport/why-does-transport-matter)
- [What we do](/explore-topics/transport/what-we-do)

### Transport drives economic activity and is fundamental to human welfare, but the sector is also a major source of greenhouse gas emissions and other forms of pollution, with significant impacts on the environment and human health.

Transport activity is increasing around the world as economies grow, which means that the sector’s emissions are also on the rise. That’s largely because 95 per cent of the world's transport energy still comes from fossil fuels.

At UN Environment, we are working to break the link between increased mobility and increased emissions. We believe that low-carbon mobility can reduce pollution while also creating jobs, making streets safer, strengthening infrastructure and stimulating local economies. We are a partner in several leading global transport programmes in areas such as fuel economy, small particulate pollution and infrastructure development, some of which are implemented through public-private partnerships.

In Transport

## Transport

- [Why does transport matter?](/explore-topics/transport/why-does-transport-matter)
- [What we do](/explore-topics/transport/what-we-do)

#### Topics

- [Transport](/explore-topics/transport)

#### Related Sustainable Development Goals

[![](https://cdn.unenvironment.org/s3fs-public/styles/ex/public/2023-03/E-WEB-Goal-09.png?itok=t6jKjchv)\
\
**Goal 9** \
\
Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure\
\
+](/topics/sustainable-development-goals/why-do-sustainable-development-goals-matter/goal-9-industry)

[![](https://cdn.unenvironment.org/s3fs-public/styles/ex/public/2023-03/E-WEB-Goal-11.png?itok=Al46vIUs)\
\
**Goal 11** \
\
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities\
\
+](/topics/sustainable-development-goals/why-do-sustainable-development-goals-matter/goal-11)

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1/5 of global black carbon emissions come from the transport sector.

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