GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS, ESPECIALLY FROM TRAFFIC (Contribution to the analysis of greenhouse gas emissions, especially from traffic)

This paper presents the results of studies on the greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activities, especially the emissions originating from transport. Since the beginning of the industrial revolution until today a steady increase has been recorded in anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions which increase the concentration of greenhouse gases (imission values) in the troposphere and thereby increase the intensity of the greenhouse effect. This paper analyzes the impacts of anthropogenic emissions of relevant greenhouse gases on a global level from 1750 until today. In particular, comparison has been made in view of greenhouse gas emissions for the three countries (associations): Croatia, the European Union and the United States. The results have shown an absolute increase in emissions from transport in 2010 compared to emissions in 1990 in all three entities studied, ranging from 19% (U.S.) to 21% (EU) and 48% (Croatia). The biggest contributor to this trend are emissions from road transport (2010 with a share of 85% to 95% in total emissions from transport) whose relative share of increase in total emissions from transport in 2010 with regard to 1990 was in the range from 8% (U.S.), to 43% (EU) and up to 63% (Croatia). Given the relatively modest level of motorization in heavily populated countries with rapidly growing economies (China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria etc.), an increase in total greenhouse gas emissions can be expected over the coming decades, with the highest percentage of emissions coming from road transport. This could undermine the climate conditions on our planet which are still relatively favorable for life. The paper ends with a discussion on possible action regarding the reduction of expected trends in greenhouse gas emissions and with the conclusions.