In Australia the transport selector is responsibly for 76 million tonnes of greenhouse emissions annually, accounting for approximately 13.5% of Australia's total emissions.

For every litre of petrol used to fuel motor vehicles - 2.3 kilograms of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. Luckily transport is an area where significant greenhouse and cost savings can be made.

  • Catch public transport, walk or cycle instead of using a car.
  • Use the Australian Government's Green Vehicle Guide when choosing a vehicle, visit www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au
  • If you have school aged children, investigate organising a walking school bus - this is a system where each 'bus' walks along a set route picking up children along the way - each bus has an adult 'driver'. For more information visit www.pinnacleresearch.co.nz/wsb/wsb.htm
  • Consider carbon offsetting your vehicles emissions - find out how at www.carbonneutral.com.au
  • Speak to your travel agent about offsetting any international or domestic holidays.
  • Car pool - to find our more about car pooling in your area visit www.mycarpools.com
  • Purchase local products.

If you can't avoid using your car, save fuel and money by;

  • Planning your trips - combine a number of small errands into one trip to save time and fuel, or consider if a phone call, email or letter would do instead.
  • Regularly check your tyre pressure - flat tyres create drag resulting in greater fuel use.
  • An under-inflated tyre can increase fuel consumption by 3% and take 10,000 km off the tyre's life.
  • Service your car regularly - a well tuned up car can use 15% less fuel.
  • Slow down - driving at 90 km/hour uses 25% less fuel than traveling at 110 km/hour.
  • Don't idle if you are stopping for more than 10 seconds turn your car off.
  • Drive smoothly - stopping and starting uses more petrol.
  • Open your window rather than using your air conditioner - air conditioners can add 10% to a vehicles fuel consumption.
  • Have snug fitting fuel cap to avoid evaporation and leaks when turning corners.
  • Travel light - don't use your car to store heavy equipment for long periods of time, an extra 50kg of weight increases fuel consumption by 2%.
  • Remove roof racks and anything fixed to the outside of your car to minimise wind resistance.