🚚 How transport is fuelling climate change

Transport is Australia's third largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, responsible for 21% of the nation's emissions in 2023. And these numbers are climbing. 

Cars and light vehicles are at the centre of the problem, contributing over half of Australian transport figures, roughly 11% of Australia’s total carbon footprint. In total, road transport emitted around 106.4 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent in 2022-23,  the highest level on record. While electric vehicle uptake is slowly growing, the vast majority of vehicles on Australian roads still rely on petrol or diesel. 

The impact even extends beyond emissions, with air pollution from car exhaust can cause smog and adversely affect human health, exacerbating respiratory symptoms in children, adverse effects on lung function and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. 

Despite these challenges, there is great potential for change. In Australia, buses, trains, trams and ferries only account for around 10% of distance travelled, highlighting a significant opportunity to shift towards more sustainable modes of transport.

🚲 What you can do

🚙 1. Make smart vehicle choices and maintenance decisions

Reducing your transport emissions definitely doesn’t have to mean buying a new car! Making smart decisions like servicing your vehicle will minimise its environmental impacts by reducing running costs and extending the vehicle's life. 

If you are looking to purchase a new vehicle, consider an electric vehicle. Although it may cost more upfront, long term savings on fuel and maintenance make EVs a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly choice. Additionally, it is best to opt for smaller, more affordable cars as they consume less petrol and produce fewer emissions. 

If you’re looking to buy a car, check out the Australian Government’s Green Vehicle Guide, so that you can make the best decision for your wallet and the environment!

🚃 2. Use public transport, cycle or walk

One of the easiest ways to cut down on both emissions and costs is to swap car trips for public transport, walking or cycling. Public transport, for instance, can be up to four times cheaper than driving, plus it offers the opportunity to unwind, whether that means reading a book or catching up on emails. 

👥 3. Carpool or share a ride

If you’re unable to catch public transport, carpooling or sharing a ride is another simple way to reduce emissions and save money. It can be as simple as picking up your neighbour on the way to the train station, or teaming up with coworkers to split the drive to the office. 

🎯 Drive change with your donation!

Just as choosing sustainable transport creates ripple effects far beyond a single journey, your donation powers a movement that's traveling across Australia. When you support our Challengers, you're fuelling conversations that move hearts and minds in the right direction.

Every dollar donated is like carpooling with impact – it gets multiplied through our matching campaign, taking your contribution twice as far! For roughly the cost of filling your car's tank once, you could help train a facilitator who will lead dozens of climate conversations, creating a roadmap to meaningful action in their community.