fact
An average Australian household
generates close to 6 tonnes of
greenhouse gas and spends around
$8,000 each year on transport, of
which $2,500 is for fuel. Some
households spend more than
$13,000 each year on transport.
Transport - How can I save?
TravelSmart can advise on how to set up a ‘walking school bus’ so children can walk to school safely
and happily. TravelSmart also provides information for local government and workplaces on how to
help people to use public transport and other sustainable travel options: www.travelsmart.gov.au.
Travel less
tip
Every litre of petrol saved cuts
greenhouse gas emissions by
2.8 kilograms and saves you at
least $1 plus vehicle wear-and-tear.
- Travelling takes time, costs money, involves risks and, if using motorised transport, generates greenhouse gas. Each kilometre of car travel avoided saves up to half a kilogram of greenhouse gas and 20 cents in operating costs. If you can do without that second car, you’ll also save thousands of dollars each year on car registration, insurance, loans and depreciation.
- Plan trips so you combine doing several things on each trip: save time and fuel. Short car trips with a cold engine use more fuel and cause more wear-and-tear.
- Make a call! Replace that drive with a phone call, email, text message or fax.
- Working from home for some or all of the time can cut transport and parking costs—and save time.
Make the switch to smart travel
- Instead of driving, ride a bike, use public transport or walk—get fit, reduce driving stress and save money. Public transport timetables are available on the internet, by phone call, and even by text message in some areas.
- In some cities, car pooling and car sharing programmes now operate. Car sharing is for those who only need a car (or a second car) occasionally. You avoid paying registration, insurance, loan interest and other fixed ownership costs. Instead you pay for the time you use the car.
Greenhouse gas emissions from different forms of transport
(Kilograms of greenhouse gas per person per kilometre)
Choose a less polluting car
- Buy a fuel-efficient car: it may be cheaper to buy and can save up to 20 tonnes of greenhouse gas and $10,000 in fuel over its life. Fuel consumption of similarsized cars can vary by up to 30% depending on brand and features. Check out www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au for comparative information on greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution performance of new cars. This website can also provide fuel consumption information on second-hand cars.
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All new passenger cars, off-road
vehicles and |
Use cars efficiently
- Drive smoothly and avoid stop-start traffic: save up to 30% of greenhouse gas emissions and fuel cost.
- Ensure tyres are pumped up to maximum recommended pressure so they roll more easily: save up to 100 kilograms of greenhouse gas each year, extend tyre life and improve safety.
- Remove unnecessary weight for your car: 50 kilograms less weight cuts greenhouse gas emissions by almost 2%.
- Remove unused roof racks, external sun visors and other features that create more air drag.
- Use of road transport by households generates 42 million tonnes of greenhouse gas each year, of which more than 14 million tonnes is used travelling to and from work.
Switch fuels
- Diesel can cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 20% relative to petrol.
- A variety of renewable fuel blends and fuels with greenhouse benefits are becoming available.
Car airconditioners
- Have the car airconditioner checked from time to time as leakage of refrigerant from car airconditioners also adds to climate change: see CFCs and HFCs section for information.
- Airconditioning can increase fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions so use it appropriately.