Everyday Mobility: How Can We Reduce Emissions?

How can we decarbonise travel, particularly in rural areas? In an article by Anaïs Marechal, Aurélien Bigo, a research associate at the Energy and Prosperity Chair, explores the challenges of everyday mobility and the limitations of a transition relying solely on vehicle electrification.

In 2023, passenger travel accounted for 23.5% of France’s greenhouse gas emissions. Everyday journeys therefore offer significant opportunities for climate action, particularly medium-distance trips covering between 10 and 100 kilometres from home.

The car’s continuing central role

Car dependency also extends to short distances: 71% of journeys are under 10 kilometres, and 53.7% of trips between 1 and 10 kilometres are made by car. These figures highlight the importance of changing mobility habits while taking residents’ needs and local conditions into account.

Although vehicle electrification is essential, it cannot address every challenge on its own. The article explores other ways to transform travel that remain underused in rural areas, encouraging an approach to decarbonisation that goes beyond simply changing how vehicles are powered.

The Energy and Prosperity Chair: informing choices for the transition

Established in 2015 and hosted by the Institut Louis Bachelier’s Fondation du Risque, the Energy and Prosperity Chair conducts research to support public and private stakeholders in the green transition. Its work focuses on the transformation of economic sectors, the resulting economic and social impacts, and the financing required to implement these changes.

Aurélien Bigo’s contribution reflects this approach: making the challenges of the transition accessible and informing discussions on lower-emission mobility that meets local needs.

Read Anaïs Marechal’s article featuring insights from Aurélien Bigo: “Carbon Footprint: How Can We Reduce the Impact of Everyday Travel Outside Major Metropolitan Areas?”

‍