Insights and Applications Gender Differences in Environmental Impacts from Patterns of Transportation - A Case Study from Sweden

Abstract

Addressing unsustainable consumption patterns is an important target for fulfilling the goals set in , among others , Agenda 21 and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change ( 1993 ). Gender differences in consumption patterns and their environmental impact have so far been poorly investigated . Gender differ ences in traveling patterns in Sweden are explored using data from the National Travel Survey . Such differences are shown to be large , both in terms of distances traveled , modes of transport , and energy consumption and in terms of emissions of CO 2 . The average CO 2 emissions from mens ' mode of transportation was 53 % higher during 1996 compared to the CO 2 emissions from womens' mode of transpor tation during the same year . This is due to the fact that men travel farther , but also because men travel with more energy - demanding vehicles than women . It is argued that those differences cannot be explained by differences in employment rate , but possibly by differences in sectors of employment , holder of a driving license , income , and car ownership . Gender differences in social and cultural aspects affecting environmental impacts from consumption patterns and lifestyles should not be ignored in further work for a sustainable society .