A new report by the European Environment Agency warns that transport remains Europe’s most persistent climate challenge, with road traffic continuing to dominate and drive up greenhouse gas emissions.
According to the Sustainability of Europe’s Mobility Systems 2025 report, transport accounted for around one-third of total EU greenhouse gas emissions in 2023, making it the only major sector where emissions have risen since 1990. Road transport is responsible for nearly three-quarters of transport-related emissions and still relies on fossil fuels for more than 90% of its energy use.
Passenger cars represent about 72% of Europe’s transport activity, while public transport has not significantly increased its share. Road traffic is also the main source of transport-related noise pollution, with around 90 million people in the EU exposed to harmful noise levels.
By contrast, rail offers a low-emission, energy-efficient alternative for both passenger and freight transport. However, the report notes that Europe’s rail system remains fragmented, with limited cross-border integration restricting its competitiveness compared with road and air travel. Freight rail activity has declined since the mid-1990s, although demand is expected to rise in the coming decade.
The agency also warns that aviation and maritime transport are projected to account for a growing share of emissions, potentially rising from about one-quarter of transport-related greenhouse gas emissions today to nearly half by 2050.
To meet the EU’s climate neutrality goal by 2050 and Zero Pollution targets for 2030, the report calls for sustained public and private investment, continued innovation, and full implementation of climate legislation, including the revised Emissions Trading System and the new ETS2.
The EEA concludes that making cleaner transport modes more accessible and attractive is essential to reducing emissions, improving air quality and cutting noise pollution across Europe.
