Area outside Beltway 8 contributes most per capita carbon emissions

Downtown emits least amount

Steve Hawley, Jun 02, 09.

New research from the Center for Neighborhood Technology indicates that transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions are up to 70 percent lower per household in cities than in suburbs, a pattern that holds true in lower-density cities like Houston as well as in higher-density cities such as New York.

At first glance, transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions appear to be significantly higher in urban areas than in suburbs, but this simply results from much greater densities. When compared at a per capita level, suburban households emit significantly more carbon dioxide.

A map of the Houston region reveals the highest transportation-related carbon emissions inside the 610 Loop and the area to the west of the Loop. However, on a household basis, these areas emit relatively few greenhouse gases. Instead, the highest emission levels per household are in the area outside Beltway 8, with medium emission levels between the Loop and the Beltway. Downtown households emit, on average, between zero and 3.3 metric tons of carbon dioxide from their cars every year, while households outside Beltway 8 emit over 8.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year.

Above is a map of Houston’s carbon emissions per household, and below is a map of total emissions. Red indicates the highest emissions levels, and yellow the lowest. View the interactive Houston map and key.