Transport based carbon footprint and environmental cost benefit analysis in Konya province

The purpose of this study is to determine the transportation-based carbon footprint of Konya, to compare it for transportation types, and to present mitigation measures. Considering the geographical and socio-economic characteristics of the province and the population density distribution, the calculations were performed and compared for both the whole province and the city center. The results can form a basis for the mitigations that can be taken to reduce the environmental costs of transportation and to increase environmental benefits. The number of fossil fueled motor vehicles in the highway, railway and air transportation system, their travel distances and fuel consumptions were found. Tier-2 method suggested by the IPCC was applied and the carbon footprints of Konya province and the city center were calculated for 2019. In highway transportation, private vehicles (cars, motorcycles), public transportation systems and intercity vehicles entering and leaving the city center via the Bus Station (Otogar) and the Old Garage (Eski Garaj) were taken into consideration. A total of 3997.26 Gg CO2 emission was calculated for Konya province, including an average of 3918.85 Gg highway (98.04%), 61.21 Gg railway (1.53%) and 17.20 Gg airline (0.43%) emissions. In city center, an average of 2058.39 Gg from highway (98.69%), 10.09 Gg railway (0.48%) and 17.20 Gg airline (0.83%) transportation CO2 emissions were totally 2085.68 Gg from which it was revealed that approximately half of the transportation-sourced emissions of the province is originated from the transportation in the city center. On the other hand, while 102.83 g CO2 was calculated per m2 throughout the province, it has been revealed that the city center is exposed to 20 times more emission than the province with 2090 g CO2 emission. The carbon footprint of the transportation sector in Konya province was calculated as 4910 g / day per capita whereas it was 4250 g / day in city center. The regions with high carbon footprint in the city center were also identified. The study give suggestions on measures to reduce CO2 emissions. Therefore, it is aimed that the study will constitute an important data source in the arrangement of transportation alternatives and guide the decision-makers in reducing the damage that the findings of CO2 emission can cause to human and environmental health.