In a nutshell: Transport and its environmental impact | Umweltbundesamt

Facts and figures on noise and pollutants are the main focus of the new brochure as more than half the German population takes issue with road traffic noise. About one third suffers from aviation noise, more than one fifth from rail transport noise.  One thing is sure about pollutants: passenger and commercial vehicles nowadays emit almost no sulfur dioxide and far less nitrogen oxides. However, they produce other substances that can impact our health, for example particulate matter.  The level of CO2 emissions caused by the various means of transport is also cause for concern, as they account for roughly 20 percent of total CO2 emissions, of which the lion’s share is accounted for by passenger and commercial vehicles.

The Daten zum Verkehr  publication also makes a case for regionally grown apples being considerably more ecological than the imported variety.  In terms of transport the long distances involved with the import of fruits from Argentina or New Zealand incurs far higher energy costs and emissions than local apples.   Other key data includes: Transport capacity of passenger air traffic in 2002-2006 increased by about 35 percent– and road traffic in 2005 incurred approx. 60 million euros in costs in excess of what state revenues in this area were.  

The Daten zum Verkehr brochure can be ordered from the Federal Environment Agency, c/o GVP, PF 33 03 61, 53183 Bonn.

Dessau-Roßlau, 25 March 2010