Discussion on the NRP assessment reports “Mobility and motorised transport which fit in sustainable development” and “Culture, consumption and lifestyles”

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a discussion on the National Research Programme (NRP) assessment reports titled “Mobility and Motorised transport which fit in sustainable development” and “Culture, Consumption, and Lifestyles.” The former report stated that transport is responsible for about 20% of the global emissions of greenhouse gases and constitutes a fast growing source. Not only transport markets in the developed countries are not yet satisfied but also much growth is to be expected in eastern Europe and in industrializing developing countries, like in Asia. . The latter report stated that at the production and consumption sides there are environmental impacts because of use of land, materials, and energy and the production of waste and pollution. Production and consumption are interrelated. Therefore, the environmental effects of consumption and production should be studied in an integrated way.