Traffic pollution as a privilege: An intersectional approach to environmental justice and transport emissions

Abstract

The growing concern over air pollution and community health, demands a comprehensive understanding of the political nature of transport-related emissions. This paper approaches how structures of power influence travel behaviour and, consequently, how they shape emissions from mobility in Barcelona. To comprehend how the intersection of gender, age, and migration background influences air pollution, we use a travel survey to build a set of models that are known to theoretically engage with intersectionality studies. Results show that identities tied to structures of power promote a greater contribution to air pollution than other mechanisms. That is, middle-aged European-born men have the most NOx-intensive mobility practices. In contrast, people that embody intersectional experiences of oppression such as misogyny, racism, or ageism, have lower emission levels. Considering these results, we argue that policies which acknowledge the unequal distribution of responsibilities present an opportunity to reduce emissions from transportation, while guaranteeing fairness and advancing environmental justice.