Transport infrastructure covers an increasing amount of land to the virtual exclusion of other uses. CO2 emissions from transport are a major contributor to the greenhouse effect. Road transport is currently the greatest offender, accounting for 80 per cent of CO2 emissions from transport and 60 per cent of total NOx emissions. Routine and accidental releases of oil or chemical substances into the environment by lorries and tankers contribute to the pollution of soils, rivers and the sea. Transport infrastructure covers an increasing amount of land to the virtual exclusion of other uses.
Transport has impacts on both the natural and built environment, and on human health.
TERM was set up to enable policy-makers to gauge how the integration of environmental concerns is progressing in the transport sector.