Road network, CO2 emissions, linked to sustainable development: A European analysis

Abstract

The issue of road transport and the environment is paradoxical. Road mobility provides substantial socioeconomic benefits, supporting the mobility demands of passengers and freight. On the other side, road transport activities are associated with negative environmental impacts. The transport sector is responsible for approximately one quarter of greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, the transport sector accounted for 57% of global oil demand and 28% of total energy consumption. The main aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between investment in road infrastructure and CO2 emissions, in the European countries, depending on the level of economic development of a country. The analysis was conducted in three separate groups: low-income, middle-income and high-income countries, according to their Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The latest IRF World Road Statistics (WRS) edition of 2022, covering data for the years 2015 to 2020, is the database which provide data for the analysis of the connection between the road networks and environmental consequences, expressed in specific indicators, in different countries.