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Portrait Anna-Lisa Linden. Photo.

Anna-Lisa Linden

Professor emerita

Portrait Anna-Lisa Linden. Photo.

Travel patterns and environmental effects now and in the future: implications of differences in energy consumption among socio-economic groups.

Author

  • Annika Carlsson-Kanyama
  • Anna-Lisa Lindén

Summary, in English

Travel patterns among different socio-economic groups in Sweden are investigated. It is shown that elderly persons, persons with low incomes and women in general do not travel extensively. Middle-aged persons, persons with high incomes and men travel much farther. Cars are the dominant transportation mode for all population groups. Aeroplanes are used mostly by high-income earners and men, while public transportation is mostly used by young people and women. Energy consumption for the different travel patterns differs substantially. Men with high incomes consume the most energy, with 94 000 MJ during one year, while elderly women consume 12 000 MJ. When compared to a calculated sustainable level of energy consumption for travel, most population groups are in excess. The level for sustainable energy consumption is calculated based on an assumed global potential for renewable energy of 360 EJ per year, divided equally among the global population. A certain share of this energy potential is supposed to be used for travelling. A scenario for 2020 is presented in which vehicle energy efficiency has increased and travel patterns have changed from what they are today. Sustainability can only be reached when both travel patterns and vehicle technology have changed radically. Differences in energy consumption for travel due to age and gender are likely to remain in the future. Scientific knowledge from the social domains seems to be important for devising efficient strategies for a sustainable society. Current focus on policy measures has been mainly on technical issues.

Department/s

  • Sociology

Publishing year

1999

Language

English

Pages

405-417

Publication/Series

Ecological Economics

Volume

30

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Elsevier

Topic

  • Sociology (excluding Social Work, Social Psychology and Social Anthropology)

Keywords

  • energy consumption
  • future
  • sociology
  • sustainability
  • gender
  • age
  • Travel patterns
  • income
  • sociologi

Status

Published

Project

  • Ways Ahead - environment, individuals and social structures

Research group

  • Ways Ahead/Utvägar

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 0921-8009