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The Critical Decade: Climate Change and Health (Australia)

This report, published in November 2011 by the Climate Commission, canvasses the direct and indirect health impacts of climate change now and into the future. The health benefits of active travel (walking and cycling) and their ability to contribute to reducing greenhouse emissions are outlined in the independent Commission’s report.

The report was authored by authored by Professor Tony McMichael and Professor Lesley Hughes of Macquarie University.

Page 39 of the report features "Health benefits of reducing greenhouse gas emissions: the case of active travel".

Current cycling levels are estimated to save the Australian health system $22.72 million annually (Bauman et al., 2008). A New Zealand study found that a 5% increase in short bicycle trips (less than 7 km) could have annual net health savings of NZ $200 million (Woodward and Lindsay, 2010). Promoting cycling and walking in place of driving cars can also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Transport generates 13% of Australia’s emissions, and is one of the largest sources of increasing emissions in Australia (DCCEE, 2010). Passenger cars make up about half of transport emissions (DCCEE, 2010) and several studies have suggested that active transport can reduce reliance on private car-use and significantly reduce emissions (Giles-Corti et al., 2010).

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