Every trip you take can shape Ireland’s climate future. The latest message from gov.ie and the Department of Transport is clear: Your Journey Counts, and choosing public transport, walking or cycling can make a measurable difference to emissions, congestion and public health.
Ireland is under pressure to cut transport emissions dramatically this decade, and the numbers explain why. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), transport made up 21.8% of Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2024, with road transport responsible for nearly 95% of that total. Passenger cars alone account for about half of all road transport emissions, making everyday travel habits a major policy focus across gov.ie, Climate Action and Transport planning.
Your Journey Counts and Ireland’s Climate Action Plan
The Your Journey Counts campaign supports the national target to reduce transport-related emissions by 50% by 2030. Backed by the Department of Transport and aligned with wider government goals across Climate Action, Health and Local Government and Heritage, the plan aims to shift how people move around towns, cities and rural communities.
- Cut the total distance driven across car journeys by 20%
- Ensure walking, cycling and public transport account for nearly half of all trips
- Increase electric vehicle adoption so almost one in three private cars is an EV
- Expand connected walking and cycling networks nationwide
- Improve rural bus access, with 70% of people in rural Ireland having at least three daily bus trips to a nearby town by 2030
- Grow shared mobility options such as bikes, e-bikes, e-scooters and car-sharing
These measures also support the work of the National Transport Authority (NTA), local authorities, and agencies involved in sustainable mobility and public investment.
Why Sustainable Travel Delivers Bigger Benefits
Lower emissions per journey
Public transport remains one of the strongest alternatives to private car use. A typical train from Cork to Dublin can remove around 90 cars from Irish roads and save 1.6 tonnes of CO2 on a single journey. In Dublin, a standard double-decker bus can replace 16 cars. That makes Your Journey Counts more than a slogan on gov.ie; it reflects real carbon savings.
Health and wellbeing gains
Walking and cycling also support public health goals linked to the Health Service Executive (HSE). Regular active travel can help reduce mortality risk, improve cardiovascular health and lower the risk of type 2 diabetes. Building more people-focused streets also supports safer, more liveable communities.
Cleaner air and less congestion
Reducing dependence on cars improves air quality, especially in built-up urban areas where pollution can become concentrated. It also helps free up road space, making bus services more reliable and cutting delays for essential travel. The Walking and Cycling Index 2025 found that active travel removes up to 660,000 cars from the road every day across Ireland’s five largest metropolitan areas.
Public Transport and Active Travel Are Growing
Recent data shows that Your Journey Counts is increasingly reflected in public behaviour. Census 2022 found more people walking or cycling to work, school and college than in 2016. Cycling to primary school rose by 88%, while the number of teenagers cycling to school increased by 79%.
Public transport use is rising too. In 2025, the Transport for Ireland network recorded 363.5 million passenger journeys, up 6% from 2024. Iarnród Éireann posted its strongest year on record with 55 million passengers, while TFI Local Link reached nearly 7 million journeys after expanded rural services under the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.
Explore more: Ireland infrastructure and mobility insights | breaking Irish transport and climate headlines
What the Message From gov.ie Means for Households
For families, commuters and students, the takeaway is practical. Replacing short car trips with walking or cycling can produce immediate environmental benefits. Research cited by gov.ie notes that switching a typical four-kilometre school run to cycling could save around 200kg of CO2 each year.
Ultimately, Your Journey Counts because national climate targets depend on local everyday decisions. Whether it is a bus commute, a bike ride to school or choosing rail over driving, each journey supports cleaner air, healthier communities and a more sustainable transport system for Ireland.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie
