1. |
- Gössling, Stefan, et al.
(author)
-
Keeping older people mobile : Autonomous transport services in rural areas
- 2023
-
In: Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives (TRIP). - : Elsevier. - 2590-1982. ; 18
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Rural areas are characterized by limited access to public transportation. In the absence of alternatives, many older people continue to drive private cars. This imposes risks on society and older people, as traffic risks increase with declining mental and physical health. As opportunities to remain mobile have key relevance for quality of life, this paper investigates attitudes of older people to autonomous transport services (ATS), based on a sample of n = 2,349 respondents living in rural and urban areas in Freiburg, Germany. ATS are not currently available, though they are expected to follow the introduction of automated driving, thus representing a future to alternative to public transport and private car travel. Results show an openness to the use of autonomous transport services for a majority of >65 year olds, though interest declines with age. Neither willingness-to-pay nor waiting times to ATS arrival are likely barriers to adoption. The study concludes that an introduction of ATS that targets older people in rural areas is promising, and will generate social and economic benefits for individuals and society. The transition from private cars to ATS can be supported by mandatory license renewal (fitness) tests. These are welcomed by a large majority of respondents, but not currently required in Germany.
|
|
2. |
- Gössling, Stefan, et al.
(author)
-
Millionaire spending incompatible with 1.5 °C ambitions
- 2023
-
In: Cleaner Production Letters. - : Elsevier. - 2666-7916. ; 4
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Much evidence suggests that the wealthiest individuals contribute disproportionally to climate change. Here we study the implications of a continued growth in the number of millionaires for emissions, and its impact on the depletion of the remaining carbon budget to limit global warming to 1.5 °C (about 400 Gt CO2). To this end, we present a model that extrapolates observed growth in millionaire numbers (1990–2020) and associated changes in emissions to 2050. Our findings suggest that the share of US$2020-millionaires in the world population will grow from 0.7% today to 3.3% in 2050, and cause accumulated emissions of 286 Gt CO2. This is equivalent to 72% of the remaining carbon budget, and significantly reduces the chance of stabilizing climate change at 1.5 °C. Continued growth in emissions at the top makes a low-carbon transition less likely, as the acceleration of energy consumption by the wealthiest is likely beyond the system's capacity to decarbonize. To this end, we question whether policy designs such as progressive taxes targeting the high emitters will be sufficient.
|
|
3. |
- Gössling, Stefan, et al.
(author)
-
Net-zero aviation : Time for a new business model?
- 2023
-
In: Journal of Air Transport Management. - : Elsevier. - 0969-6997 .- 1873-2089. ; 107
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Recent years have seen vivid debate on decarbonizing aviation. Carbon-neutral flight is characterized by various barriers, however: Key transition technologies are in early stages of technology readiness, their scalability is uncertain, and airlines are not profitable. The replacement of fossil fuels will demand drop-in quota legislation at a global scale. This paper discusses the implications of continued growth in light of the sector's financial situation. It models the cost of biomass-based and non-biogenic synthetic (electric) fuels in combination with carbon taxes. Findings serve as a basis for the assessment of aviation's likelihood of achieving net-zero emissions without addressing growth. If the current business model - volume growth with very small profit margins - is continued, it is likely that aviation's contribution to climate change will grow, due to constraints in biofuel production, cost, and an increase in non-CO2 warming. To stay within 1.5 degrees C warming, the sector has to reassess capacity and its relationship with profitability; and to possibly embrace an altogether different business model.
|
|
4. |
- Gössling, Stefan, et al.
(author)
-
The economic cost of a 130 kph speed limit in Germany
- 2023
-
In: Ecological Economics. - : Elsevier. - 0921-8009 .- 1873-6106. ; 209
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Germany remains the only large country in the world without a general speed limit on highways. One of the main arguments for this policy is that lower speeds represent a travel time cost that is not outweighed by benefits, such as a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. As transport decision making in the European Union is based on cost -benefit analysis (CBA), this paper compares the value of travel time, fuel consumption, infrastructure, crashes, carbon dioxide (CO2), and air pollution. Results suggests that, at the low end of the estimate, a 130 kph speed limit will generate welfare gains in the order of 950 million Euro per year. The 'no speed limit' policy conse-quently represents a subsidy forwarded to fast drivers. The paper also discusses the views of the public vis-`a-vis automobile lobbies, and the relevance of Germany's climate change mitigation law, mandating that transport systems be decarbonized. The CBA suggests that a 130 kph speed limit is a policy field where environmental concerns, positive economic effects, and public opinion can be aligned.
|
|
5. |
|
|