Acceptability of transport emissions reduction policies: A multi-criteria analysis

Abstract

Greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector of New Zealand have increased rapidly over the last two and half decades despite various policy initiatives by the government. This raises questions over the acceptability and effectiveness of various policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from this sector. This study therefore investigates the mitigation potential of various transport policies while considering their costs, benefits and ethical aspects. A multi-criteria analysis technique is adopted to understand how experts (including policy advisers) perceive the costs, benefits, emissions reduction potentials and ethical priorities of New Zealand's transport policies. A total of 26 policy options are identified, and they are categorized under six mitigation policy pathways. The perspectives of experts are sought and aggregated using the Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) technique to compare and evaluate the mitigation policy pathways and policy options. Results demonstrate that increasing active and public transport investment is the most acceptable option followed by travel demand management, a carbon price, electric vehicle support, and support for fuel-efficient vehicles and biofuels. However, in terms of emissions reduction potential, ceasing the import of petrol and diesel cars into New Zealand by 2030 is found to be the strongest policy option. It is expected that the findings of this study will help illuminate the costs, benefits, mitigation potential and ethical aspects of various transport emissions reduction measures and assist policy advisers in identifying the most attractive policies and projects for investment.