What Parameters Influence the Spatial Variations in CO₂ Emissions from Road Traffic in Berlin? Implications for Urban Planning to Reduce Anthropogenic CO₂ Emissions

The aim of this paper is to find major influencing factors of CO₂ emissions from road traffic in urban areas. The approach of the study involved a statistical analysis on the basis of the formerly 23 urban districts of the German capital of Berlin. Correlation and regression analyses of empirical data from the settlement structure, the traffic structure and income have found that the number of jobs per district and the share of the well-off population can best describe the CO₂ emissions from traffic in Berlin. Also the number of residents, the total built area, the number of cars and the amount of traffic area are positively related to the dependent variable. Therefore, the possibilities to reduce CO₂ emissions from road traffic for urban planners seem limited: a restriction of space dedicated to traffic and a change of transport means for commuting represent leverage points, according to the analysis. The other significant indicators are less able to be influenced by local and regional decision-makers—an alteration in the means of mobility to less CO₂ emitting alternatives is needed if CO₂ emissions from road traffic are extensively to be decreased.