Urban travel CO2 emissions and land use: A case study for Quebec City

The paper examines the determinants of urban travel greenhouse gas emissions. Specifically, we examine the impact of individual and household socio-economic characteristics as well as the effect of land use and transit supply characteristics around the residence and work place. The analysis uses an activity-based longitudinal panel survey in the Quebec City region of Canada. We find that emissions vary considerably depending on the respondent gender, professional status, age, family structure, income level and day of the week. Particularly, we find evidence of significant economies of scale within Quebec City households in the production of greenhouse gas emissions. We also find major differences in emissions depending upon the type of neighbourhood. A respondent living in the city periphery would produce on average 70% more emissions than if he was located at the city center. Land use and transit supply attributes are, however, also extremely different between these two locations. When estimating the elasticity of emissions with respect to land use and transit supply indicators such as residential density, these emerge as relatively small.

► Considerable variations in travel greenhouse gas emissions across Quebec City residents. ► Socio-demographic characteristics play a critical role. ► Significant economies of scale at the household level. ► Small emission elasticity with respect to land use and transit supply.