Abstract
Drastically cutting transport greenhouse gas emissions (GHGe) is essential to meet climate targets and prevent the adverse health and other consequences of climate change. However, we need to make sure emissions reductions are fair across the population. We used the household travel survey to examine existing inequalities in household transport GHGe in Aotearoa New Zealand: this information is essential to design good policy and achieve a fair transition to a low carbon transport system. We found high levels of inequality in all modes of transport. The more affluent emitted 79% more transport GHGe weekly, mainly from the extra 97km driven each week. Flying was the most unequal mode of travel and made up 10% of weekly emissions from people who live in the least deprived quintile. Transport policy must focus on measures to reduce emissions that are effective and reduce inequities. This will require scrutiny of current policy processes, serious attention to transport disadvantage and poverty, and implementation and evaluation of fair and sustainable transport interventions. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transport is essential to meet our legal targets