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Travel patterns and environmental effects now and in the future: implications of differences in energy consumption among socio-economic groups.

Carlsson-Kanyama, Annika and Lindén, Anna-Lisa LU (1999) In Ecological Economics 30. p.405-417
Abstract
Travel patterns among different socio-economic groups in Sweden are investigated. It is shown that elderly persons, persons with low incomes and women in general do not travel extensively. Middle-aged persons, persons with high incomes and men travel much farther. Cars are the dominant transportation mode for all population groups. Aeroplanes are used mostly by high-income earners and men, while public transportation is mostly used by young people and women. Energy consumption for the different travel patterns differs substantially. Men with high incomes consume the most energy, with 94 000 MJ during one year, while elderly women consume 12 000 MJ. When compared to a calculated sustainable level of energy consumption for travel, most... (More)
Travel patterns among different socio-economic groups in Sweden are investigated. It is shown that elderly persons, persons with low incomes and women in general do not travel extensively. Middle-aged persons, persons with high incomes and men travel much farther. Cars are the dominant transportation mode for all population groups. Aeroplanes are used mostly by high-income earners and men, while public transportation is mostly used by young people and women. Energy consumption for the different travel patterns differs substantially. Men with high incomes consume the most energy, with 94 000 MJ during one year, while elderly women consume 12 000 MJ. When compared to a calculated sustainable level of energy consumption for travel, most population groups are in excess. The level for sustainable energy consumption is calculated based on an assumed global potential for renewable energy of 360 EJ per year, divided equally among the global population. A certain share of this energy potential is supposed to be used for travelling. A scenario for 2020 is presented in which vehicle energy efficiency has increased and travel patterns have changed from what they are today. Sustainability can only be reached when both travel patterns and vehicle technology have changed radically. Differences in energy consumption for travel due to age and gender are likely to remain in the future. Scientific knowledge from the social domains seems to be important for devising efficient strategies for a sustainable society. Current focus on policy measures has been mainly on technical issues. (Less)
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author
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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
energy consumption, future, sociology, sustainability, gender, age, Travel patterns, income, sociologi
in
Ecological Economics
volume
30
pages
405 - 417
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • scopus:0032750168
ISSN
0921-8009
project
Ways Ahead - environment, individuals and social structures
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
f738c896-8402-4386-afe0-563082792989 (old id 638775)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 15:58:42
date last changed
2022-03-22 07:32:49
@article{f738c896-8402-4386-afe0-563082792989,
  abstract     = {{Travel patterns among different socio-economic groups in Sweden are investigated. It is shown that elderly persons, persons with low incomes and women in general do not travel extensively. Middle-aged persons, persons with high incomes and men travel much farther. Cars are the dominant transportation mode for all population groups. Aeroplanes are used mostly by high-income earners and men, while public transportation is mostly used by young people and women. Energy consumption for the different travel patterns differs substantially. Men with high incomes consume the most energy, with 94 000 MJ during one year, while elderly women consume 12 000 MJ. When compared to a calculated sustainable level of energy consumption for travel, most population groups are in excess. The level for sustainable energy consumption is calculated based on an assumed global potential for renewable energy of 360 EJ per year, divided equally among the global population. A certain share of this energy potential is supposed to be used for travelling. A scenario for 2020 is presented in which vehicle energy efficiency has increased and travel patterns have changed from what they are today. Sustainability can only be reached when both travel patterns and vehicle technology have changed radically. Differences in energy consumption for travel due to age and gender are likely to remain in the future. Scientific knowledge from the social domains seems to be important for devising efficient strategies for a sustainable society. Current focus on policy measures has been mainly on technical issues.}},
  author       = {{Carlsson-Kanyama, Annika and Lindén, Anna-Lisa}},
  issn         = {{0921-8009}},
  keywords     = {{energy consumption; future; sociology; sustainability; gender; age; Travel patterns; income; sociologi}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{405--417}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{Ecological Economics}},
  title        = {{Travel patterns and environmental effects now and in the future: implications of differences in energy consumption among socio-economic groups.}},
  volume       = {{30}},
  year         = {{1999}},
}