Wilson, J., Spinney, J., Milward, H., Scott, D., Hayden, A., Tyedmers, P., 2013. Blame the Exurbs, not the Suburbs: Exploring the distribution of greenhouse gas emissions within a city region. Energy Policy. 62, 1329-1335.
Abstract:
This research investigates whether where we live matters interms of contributions to direct greenhouse gas GHG)emissions.
Using results from the Halifax Space Time Activity Research (STAR) project, we estimate GHG emissions for 1920 randomly selected respondents in Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada. The unique data set allows us to report direct GHG emissions with an unprecedented level of specificity at the subregional scale using household energy-use survey data and GPS-verified travel data. We report results and investigate statistical differences between communities and urban–rural zones (inner city, suburban, and inner and outer commuter belts). Results reveal considerable spatial variability indirect GHG emissions across the study area. Our findings indicate that individuals living in the suburbs generate similar amounts of GHG emissions(20.5kgCO2e person1 day1) to those living in the inner city(20.2kgCO2e person1 day1), challenging a widely held assumption that living in the urban centreis better for sustainability.However,individuals in more rural areas have significantly higher transport related GHG emissions than those living in the inner city and suburbs. Our results underscore the importance of understanding the spatial distribution of GHG emissions at the sub-regional scale.