Ireland's State of the Environment Report 2024

279 Chapter 11: Environment and Transport Environment and Transport 1. Introduction Our transport networks connect us to activities such as employment, recreation, retail and education. A sustainable, accessible and efficient transport system is not only important for wellbeing but also has a key function in trade and the economy. The transport sector is a major consumer of energy and material resources and a source of environmental pollution, particularly of greenhouse gases, other air pollutants and noise. A sustainable transport network (Figure 11.1) is a vital attribute of any country and is characterised by low environmental pressures and by win–win outcomes for human health and wellbeing and for cleaner, quieter towns and city centres. In 2022, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) conducted one of the most comprehensive evaluations of the Irish transport system ever undertaken (OECD, 2022). The report indicated that, in order to achieve Ireland’s climate goals in the transport sector, systemic change would be required; a similar recommendation was made in an earlier iteration of this report, albeit at a more general level (EPA, 2020). The type of systemic change outlined in the OECD report is a rebalancing of urban space to favour active and public modes of transport and to reduce the reliance on electric cars to decarbonise the sector. This chapter describes how the demand for transport is linked to urbanisation and economic development, discusses the impact of the sector on the environment and explores the policies needed to ensure a sustainable transport sector. Figure 11.1  Benefits of sustainable mobility Environmental Reduces greenhouse gas emissions Improves air quality Reduces noise pollu on Economic Allows more efficient movement of people Provides access to employment opportuni es Reduces traffi on Social Reduces levels of social isola on Supports connected and liv es Enables equitable access to services and ameni es Health and wellbeing Increases physical ac vity levels through ve travel Creates safer roads and streets Sustainable Mobility Source: DOT, 2022