U.S.: Public transportation's GHG emissions by mode

In 2018, buses were by far the public transit mode with the highest greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the United States. During that year, urban buses emitted more than six million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent. In contrast, the public transit mode with the lowest GHG emissions was the light rail, with emissions of approximately 388,000 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent.

Public transport's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the United States in 2018, by mode (in 1,000 metric tons of CO₂e)

Characteristic	Direct and indirect emissions*	Upstream emissions**
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Release date

2021

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Region

United States

Survey time period

2018

Supplementary notes

Figures have been rounded.

* Direct emissions are carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions that occurred at the vehicle when fuel was consumed. Indirect emissions are CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O emissions that occurred at the power plant when electricity was produced or in the process of producing hydrogen.
** Upstream emissions are GHG emissions that occurred during fuel production and distribution, also called “well-to-pump” emissions.

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