Understanding per-trip commuting CO2 emissions: A case study of the Technical University of Madrid

• Published in: Transportation research. Part D, Transport and environment Vol. 96; p. 102895
• Main Authors: Sobrino, Natalia, Arce, Rosa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2021
• Subjects: CO2 emissions; Mobility; Policy; University; Policy; Mobility; University; CO2 emissions
• ISSN: 1361-9209; 1879-2340
• DOI: 10.1016/j.trd.2021.102895

•Universities need to raise awareness of the effect of mobility on climate change.•The travel behaviour and CO2 emissions of university commuters are analyzed.•A methodology to estimate CO2 emissions factors by transport mode in Madrid.•Policies are recommended to reduce the impact on climate change from transport to the UPM. Cities are at the core of global climate change mitigation and strategic low-carbon development. Within cities, universities are ideal places to raise awareness of environmentally friendly lifestyles. This paper focuses on understanding per-trip commuting CO2 emissions in the Technical University of Madrid. A simple mobility survey was conducted collecting 2149 responses. The study includes a methodology to estimate CO2 emission factors by transport mode in Madrid. The results show that public transport is the main mode used, with over 75% of trips. However, users of private modes produce more than 55% of the total CO2 emissions from commuting. After an analysis of UPM commuters’ travel behaviour and their climate change impacts, a set of reduction policies -such as campaigns to promote shared mobility, economic incentives in public transport, and integrated parking management policies among others are proposed to redefine policies after the pandemic crisis.