Unraveling CO2 emission dynamics in home-work mobility: Insights from two French urban areas of Lyon and Lille

The transport sector faces a critical challenge, balancing the growing demand for mobility with the urgent need to reduce CO2 emissions. Addressing this challenge requires a comprehensive understanding of mobility patterns and the factors influencing CO2 emissions. This study focuses on the French urban areas of Lyon and Lille to examine CO2 emissions associated with home-work mobility. Combining commuting data from the national census and household travel surveys, the study uses multiple linear regression analysis to assess CO2 emissions linked to home-work mobility. The analysis considers factors at the socio-economic, household, and urban form levels. The results show that full-time employment, larger households, and vehicle ownership drive higher CO2 emissions due to longer commutes and car dependency. Compact, well-connected urban areas reduce CO2 emissions by enabling shorter travel and greater public transport use, while dispersed structures increase emissions through extended commutes. Public transport accessibility strongly mitigates CO2 emissions, highlighting the need for sustainable urban planning policies promoting alternative solutions to the car.