Globalization makes it easy to send goods around the world. The cost

for shipping goods has never been as low as now. However, the choice of

the means of transportation does severely influence the amount of CO2

emitted for the transportation of goods.

The following table shows the amount of CO2 (in grams) emitted per metric ton of freight and per km of transportation:

Air plane (air cargo), average Cargo B747

500 g Modern lorry or truck

60 to 150 g Modern train

30 to 100 g Modern ship (sea freight)

10 to 40 g Airship (Zeppelin, Cargolifter ) as planned 55 g

The values for air cargo has been taken from Lufthansa Air cargo, who operates a modern fleet. The world-wide average is probably higher because of the use of older plaines for air shipment. The effect of the CO2 emissions of airplanes are 2 to 3 times higher compared to the emissions on the ground, because airplanes release the CO2 in high altitudes into the atmosphere, where they do much more harm.

Conclusion: If you avoid air transportation, you help reducing the CO2 emissions!