Günlük Ulaşımda Bireysel Davranış Değişiminin Karbon Ayak İzi Üzerindeki Etkisi: Iğdır Örneğinde Bisiklet Kullanımına İlişkin Uygulamalı Bir Çalışma

Year 2025, Volume: 23 Issue: 2, 599 - 626, 30.10.2025

Selçuk Gürçam

https://doi.org/10.33688/aucbd.1716832

Abstract

Bu çalışma, bireysel ulaşım tercihlerindeki davranışsal değişimlerin karbon ayak izi üzerindeki etkisini öz-gözlemsel bir vaka analizi aracılığıyla sunmaktadır. Teorik olarak, Planlı Davranış Teorisi ve Değer–İnanç–Norm Kuramı çerçevesinde bireysel eylemin motivasyonel temelleri açıklanmaktadır. Araştırma, Türkiye’nin Iğdır ilinde yaşayan bir kamu çalışanının yaklaşık iki ay boyunca özel araç kullanımını bırakarak bisiklete geçişini ele almakta ve bu geçişi nicel verilerle destekleyerek çevresel, ekonomik, hava kirliliği ve sağlık açısından analiz etmektedir. Katılımcının haftalık 145,52 km’lik bisiklet kullanımı sonucunda yaklaşık 21,43 kg CO₂e salımı engellenmiş ve 7,999 litre yakıt tasarrufu sağlanmıştır. Ayrıca fiziksel aktivite düzeyi Dünya Sağlık Örgütü standartlarına uygun hâle gelmiştir. Bu bağlamda çalışma, bireysel düzeydeki düşük karbonlu ulaşım uygulamalarının kolektif iklim hedeflerine katkı potansiyelini vurgularken, yerel yönetimlerin eksikliklerine dikkat çekmekte ve politika önerileri sunmaktadır.

Keywords

Karbon ayak izi , Sürdürülebilir ulaşım , Bisiklet kullanımı , Bireysel davranış değişikliği , Iğdır

The Impact of Individual Behavioural Change in Daily Transportation on Carbon Footprint: An Applied Study on Bicycle Use in the Case of Iğdır

Abstract

This study presents the impact of behavioural changes in individual transportation preferences on the carbon footprint through a self-observational case study. From a theoretical perspective, the motivational underpinnings of individual action are explained within the framework of the Theory of Planned Behaviour and the Value–Belief–Norm Theory. The study focuses on a public employee living in Iğdır Province, Türkiye, who, over a period of approximately two months, switched from private cars to bicycles. This transition is analysed using quantitative data regarding environmental, economic, air pollution, and health aspects. As a result, the participant's weekly cycling distance of 145.52 km led to the prevention of approximately 21.43 kg of CO₂e emissions and the saving of 7,999 litres of fuel. Moreover, their physical activity level met World Health Organization standards. Overall, the study highlights the potential for low-carbon transportation practices at the individual level to contribute to collective climate goals, while also emphasizing the shortcomings of local governments and providing policy recommendations.

Keywords

Carbon footprint , Sustainable transportation , Bicycle Use , Individual behaviour change , Iğdır

References

• Abbass, K., Qasim, M. Z., Song, H., Murshed, M., Mahmood, H., & Younis, I. (2022). A review of the global climate change impacts, adaptation, and sustainable mitigation measures. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29 (28), 42539–42559. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-19718-6
• Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50 (2), 179–211. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T
• Al-Quds University. (2023). Al-Quds University’s GHG Emissions Reporting.
• Anagnostopoulou, E., Urbančič, J., Bothos, E., Magoutas, B., Bradesko, L., Schrammel, J., & Mentzas, G. (2020). From mobility patterns to behavioural change: leveraging travel behaviour and personality profiles to nudge for sustainable transportation. Journal of Intelligent Information Systems, 54 (1), 157–178. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10844-018-0528-
• Anukwonke, C. C., Tambe, E. B., Nwafor, D. C., & Malik, K. T. (2022). Climate Change and Interconnected Risks to Sustainable Development. In Climate Change (pp. 71–86). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-86290-9_5
• Aras, H. (2024). Iğdır Belediyesi’nden Bisiklet Kullanımını Teşvik Eden Adım. Aras Gazetesi. https://www.arasgazetesi.com.tr/igdir-belediyesi-nden-bisiklet-kullanimini-tesvik-eden-adim/48089/ adresinden edinilmiştir.
• Argun, Y. A., Tırınk, S., & Bayram, T. (2019). Effect of Urban Factors on Air Pollution of Igdir. Black Sea Journal of Engineering and Science, 2 (4), 123–130. https://doi.org/10.34248/bsengineering.561588
• Ballo, L., de Freitas, L. M., Meister, A., & Axhausen, K. W. (2023). The E-Bike City as a radical shift toward zero-emission transport: Sustainable? Equitable? Desirable? Journal of Transport Geography, 111, 103663. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2023.103663
• Bamberg, S., Ajzen, I., & Schmidt, P. (2003). Choice of Travel Mode in the Theory of Planned Behavior: The Roles of Past Behavior, Habit, and Reasoned Action. Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 25 (3), 175–187. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15324834BASP2503_01
• Barros, M. V., da Silva, B. P. A., Piekarski, C. M., da Luz, L. M., Yoshino, R. T., & Tesser, D. P. (2018). Carbon footprint of transportation habits in a Brazilian university. Environmental Quality Management, 28 (1), 139–148. https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.21578
• Beckx, C., Broekx, S., Degraeuwe, B., Beusen, B., & Int Panis, L. (2013). Limits to active transport substitution of short car trips. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 22, 10–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2013.03.001
• Brand, C., Dons, E., Anaya-Boig, E., Avila-Palencia, I., Clark, A., de Nazelle, A., Gascon, M., Gaupp-Berghausen, M., Gerike, R., Götschi, T., Iacorossi, F., Kahlmeier, S., Laeremans, M., Nieuwenhuijsen, M. J., Pablo Orjuela, J., Racioppi, F., Raser, E., Rojas-Rueda, D., Standaert, A., … Int Panis, L. (2021). The climate change mitigation effects of daily active travel in cities. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 93, 102764. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2021.102764
• Breuer, J. L., Samsun, R. C., Peters, R., & Stolten, D. (2020). The impact of diesel vehicles on NOx and PM10 emissions from road transport in urban morphological zones: A case study in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Science of The Total Environment, 727, 138583. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138583
• Buehler, R., & Pucher, J. (2021). Cycling for Sustainable Cities. The MIT Press.
• Chong, D. (2018). The sustainable development goals and climate change. Social Alternatives, 37 (1), 43–48.
• Çoşkun, M., Şahiner, H., Canbulat, O., & Öztürk, A. (2024). Iğdır Merkez İlçesinde Hava Kalitesi Sorunu ve Yerleşim Uygunluk Analizi. Coğrafya Dergisi / Journal of Geography, 47, 45–59. https://doi.org/10.26650/JGEOG2023-1233378
• Cyclist Türkiye. (2018). Sektör: Delta Bisiklet. https://www.cyclistmag.com.tr/2018/03/13/sektor-delta-bisiklet/ adresinden edinilmiştir.
• de Nazelle, A., Morton, B. J., Jerrett, M., & Crawford-Brown, D. (2010). Short trips: An opportunity for reducing mobile-source emissions? Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 15 (8), 451–457. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2010.04.012
• Dixit, A., Madhav, S., Mishra, R., Srivastav, A. L., & Garg, P. (2022). Impact of climate change on water resources, challenges and mitigation strategies to achieve sustainable development goals. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 15 (14), 1296. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-022-10590-9
• Donald, I. J., Cooper, S. R., & Conchie, S. M. (2014). An extended theory of planned behaviour model of the psychological factors affecting commuters’ transport mode use. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 40, 39–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2014.03.003
• Ercan, T., Onat, N. C., & Tatari, O. (2016). Investigating carbon footprint reduction potential of public transportation in United States: A system dynamics approach. Journal of Cleaner Production, 133, 1260–1276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.06.051
• Eroğlu, R. U. (2012). Iğdırlı pedal basıyor. Evrensel. https://www.evrensel.net/haber/43809/igdirli-pedal-basiyor adresinden edinilmiştir.
• Fan, J., Meng, X., Tian, J., Xing, C., Wang, C., & Wood, J. (2023). A review of transportation carbon emissions research using bibliometric analyses. Journal of Traffic and Transportation Engineering (English Edition), 10 (5), 878–899. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtte.2023.09.002
• Ferreira, I., Garcia, O., & Carnielli, L. (2023). The carbon footprint of cataract surgery and ISBCS. In Immediately Sequential Bilateral Cataract Surgery (ISBCS) (pp. 75–83). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-95309-2.00052-0
• Garus, A., Mourtzouchou, A., Suarez, J., Fontaras, G., & Ciuffo, B. (2024). Exploring Sustainable Urban Transportation: Insights from Shared Mobility Services and Their Environmental Impact. Smart Cities, 7 (3), 1199–1220. https://doi.org/10.3390/smartcities7030051
• Google Earth. (2025). Iğdır. https://earth.google.com/web/ adresinden edinilmiştir.
• Gössling, S., & Choi, A. S. (2015). Transport transitions in Copenhagen: Comparing the cost of cars and bicycles. Ecological Economics, 113, 106–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2015.03.006
• Green, S., Sakuls, P., & Levitt, S. (2021). Cycling for health. Canadian Family Physician, 67 (10), 739–742. https://doi.org/10.46747/cfp.6710739
• Guangnian, X., Qiongwen, L., Anning, N., & Zhang, C. (2023). Research on carbon emissions of public bikes based on the life cycle theory. Transportation Letters, 15 (4), 278–295. https://doi.org/10.1080/19427867.2022.2123142
• Gürçam, S., & Konuralp, E. (2022). Küreselden Yerele Çevresel Politika Yapımı: Iğdır İl Özel İdaresi Üzerine Bir Memorandum. Iğdır Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi, 6, 65–84.
• Güzel, T. D., & Alp, K. (2020). Modeling of greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector in Istanbul by 2050. Atmospheric Pollution Research, 11 (12), 2190–2201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apr.2020.08.034
• Haakman, R., Beenakker, I., & Geerlings, H. (2020). Reducing vehicle-related NOx and PM emissions in metropolitan areas: A comparison between the Randstad and the Rhine-Ruhr area. Journal of Cleaner Production, 247, 119175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119175
• Haber Türk. (2018). Iğdır’da bisiklet kullanıcıları uyarıldı. https://www.haberturk.com/igdir-haberleri/63065746-igdirda-bisiklet-kullanicilari-uyarildi adresinden edinilmiştir.
• He, M., Pu, L., Liu, Y., Shi, Z., He, C., & Lei, J. (2022). Research on Nonlinear Associations and Interactions for Short-Distance Travel Mode Choice of Car Users. Journal of Advanced Transportation, 2022, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/8598320
• Heinen, E., van Wee, B., & Maat, K. (2010). Commuting by Bicycle: An Overview of the Literature. Transport Reviews, 30 (1), 59–96. https://doi.org/10.1080/01441640903187001
• IEA. (2023). Tracking Transport. International Energy Agency. https://www.iea.org/energy-system/transport adresinden edinilmiştir.
• Iğdır İl Özel İdaresi. (2025). Coğrafik Konum. http://www.igdirozelidare.gov.tr/cografik-konum adresinden edinilmiştir.
• İklim Haber. (2022). Iğdır Neden Avrupa’nın En Kirli Havasına Sahip? https://www.iklimhaber.org/igdir-neden-avrupanin-en-kirli-havasina-sahip/ adresinden edinilmiştir.
• IPCC. (2023). Transport. In Climate Change 2022 - Mitigation of Climate Change (pp. 1049–1160). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009157926.012
• IQAir. (2021). World Air Quality Report 2021. file:///C:/Users/istan/Downloads/world-air-quality-report-2021-en.pdf adresinden edinilmiştir.
• ITDP. (2022). Making the Economic Case for Cycling. https://itdp.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Making-the-Economic-Case-for-Cycling_6-13-22.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com
• Jelti, F., Allouhi, A., & Tabet Aoul, K. A. (2023). Transition Paths towards a Sustainable Transportation System: A Literature Review. Sustainability, 15 (21), 15457. https://doi.org/10.3390/su152115457
• Jing, Q.-L., Liu, H.-Z., Yu, W.-Q., & He, X. (2022). The Impact of Public Transportation on Carbon Emissions—From the Perspective of Energy Consumption. Sustainability, 14 (10), 6248. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106248
• Karanikola, P., Panagopoulos, T., Tampakis, S., & Tsantopoulos, G. (2018). Cycling as a Smart and Green Mode of Transport in Small Touristic Cities. Sustainability, 10 (1), 268. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10010268
• Karjalainen, L. E., & Juhola, S. (2019). Framework for Assessing Public Transportation Sustainability in Planning and Policy-Making. Sustainability, 11 (4), 1028. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11041028
• Klaniecki, K., Wuropulos, K., & Hager, C. P. (2019). Behaviour Change for Sustainable Development. In Encyclopedia of Sustainability in Higher Education (pp. 1–10). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-63951-2_161-1
• Klöckner, C. A., & Matthies, E. (2004). How habits interfere with norm-directed behaviour: A normative decision-making model for travel mode choice. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 24(3), 319–327. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2004.08.004
• Kusnanda Nurrafi’u, G., Zufar Hafizh Effendi, M., Laksmita Pramesty, C., Brita Maharani, S., & Castyana, B. (2023). The Role of Cycling on Hypertense People. Sports Medicine Curiosity Journal, 2(1), 42–51. https://doi.org/10.15294/smcj.v2i1.75214
• Kuss, P., & Nicholas, K. A. (2022). A dozen effective interventions to reduce car use in European cities: Lessons learned from a meta-analysis and transition management. Case Studies on Transport Policy, 10(3), 1494–1513. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cstp.2022.02.001
• Li, X., Tan, H., & Rackes, A. (2015). Carbon footprint analysis of student behavior for a sustainable university campus in China. Journal of Cleaner Production, 106, 97–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.11.084
• Logan, G., Somers, C., Baker, G., Connell, H., Gray, S., Kelly, P., McIntosh, E., Welsh, P., Gray, C. M., & Gill, J. M. R. (2023). Benefits, risks, barriers, and facilitators to cycling: a narrative review. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 5. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2023.1168357
• Marincek, D. (2023). Comparing E-Bike Users’ Perceptions of Safety: The Case of Lausanne, Switzerland. Active Travel Studies, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.16997/ats.1170
• Mathez, A., Manaugh, K., Chakour, V., El-Geneidy, A., & Hatzopoulou, M. (2013). How can we alter our carbon footprint? Estimating GHG emissions based on travel survey information. Transportation, 40 (1), 131–149. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11116-012-9415-8
• Ministry of Environment Urbanization and Climate Change. (2019). Bisiklet Yolları Yönetmeliği (No. 30976). https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2019/12/20191212-1.htm
• Mosca, O., Lauriola, M., Manunza, A., Lorenzo Mura, A., Piras, F., Sottile, E., Meloni, I., & Fornara, F. (2024). Promoting a sustainable behavioral shift in commuting choices: the role of previous intention and “personalized travel plan” feedback. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 106, 55–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2024.06.027
• Mueller, N., Rojas-Rueda, D., Salmon, M., Martinez, D., Ambros, A., Brand, C., de Nazelle, A., Dons, E., Gaupp-Berghausen, M., Gerike, R., Götschi, T., Iacorossi, F., Int Panis, L., Kahlmeier, S., Raser, E., & Nieuwenhuijsen, M. (2018). Health impact assessment of cycling network expansions in European cities. Preventive Medicine, 109, 62–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2017.12.011
• Mundorf, N., Redding, C., & Paiva, A. (2018). Sustainable Transportation Attitudes and Health Behavior Change: Evaluation of a Brief Stage-Targeted Video Intervention. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15 (1), 150. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15010150
• Muneer, T., Celik, A. N., & Caliskan, N. (2011). Sustainable transport solution for a medium-sized town in Turkey—A case study. Sustainable Cities and Society, 1 (1), 29–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2010.08.004
• Neves, A., & Brand, C. (2019). Assessing the potential for carbon emissions savings from replacing short car trips with walking and cycling using a mixed GPS-travel diary approach. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 123, 130–146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2018.08.022
• NYC Global Partners. (2013). Best Practice: City-wide Bicycle Commuting Program. https://www.nyc.gov/html/ia/gprb/downloads/pdf/Copenhagen_CityofCyclists.pdf adresinden edinilmiştir.
• Oja, P., Titze, S., Bauman, A., de Geus, B., Krenn, P., Reger‐Nash, B., & Kohlberger, T. (2011). Health benefits of cycling: a systematic review. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 21 (4), 496–509. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2011.01299.x
• Patton, M. Q. (2014). Qualitative Research & Evaluation Methods Integrating Theory and Practice. Sage Publications.
• Pilkington, B. (2022). Gasoline vs Diesel: Which is More Polluting? AZoCleantech.Com. https://www.azocleantech.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=1580 adresinden edinilmiştir.
• Reckien, D., Creutzig, F., Fernandez, B., Lwasa, S., Tovar-Restrepo, M., Mcevoy, D., & Satterthwaite, D. (2017). Climate change, equity and the Sustainable Development Goals: an urban perspective. Environment and Urbanization, 29 (1), 159–182. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956247816677778
• Rees, N. (2022). Enabling behaviour change towards sustainable transport choices. Institution of Environmental Sciences. https://www.the-ies.org/analysis/enabling-behaviour-change adresinden edinilmiştir.
• Ritchie, H. (2020). Which form of transport has the smallest carbon footprint? Our World in Data. https://ourworldindata.org/travel-carbon-footprint adresinden edinilmiştir.
• Saleem, A., Anwar, S., Nawaz, T., Fahad, S., Saud, S., Ur Rahman, T., Khan, M. N. R., & Nawaz, T. (2024). Securing a sustainable future: the climate change threat to agriculture, food security, and sustainable development goals. Journal of Umm Al-Qura University for Applied Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43994-024-00177-3
• Schwanen, T., Banister, D., & Anable, J. (2012). Rethinking habits and their role in behaviour change: the case of low-carbon mobility. Journal of Transport Geography, 24, 522–532. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2012.06.003
• Steg, L., & Vlek, C. (2009). Encouraging pro-environmental behaviour: An integrative review and research agenda. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 29 (3), 309–317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2008.10.004
• Stern, P. C. (2000). New Environmental Theories: Toward a Coherent Theory of Environmentally Significant Behavior. Journal of Social Issues, 56 (3), 407–424. https://doi.org/10.1111/0022-4537.00175
• Sun, Y.-F., Zhang, Y.-J., & Su, B. (2022). How does global transport sector improve the emissions reduction performance? A demand-side analysis. Applied Energy, 311, 118648. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2022.118648
• TÜİK. (2023). Karayolu Motorlu Taşıtlar, Aralık 2022. Türkiye İstatistik Kurumu. https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=Road-Motor-Vehicles-December-2022-49436&dil=2 adresinden edinilmiştir.
• UK Parliament. (2019). Walking and cycling in England. Https://Www.Parliament.Uk/. adresinden edinilmiştir.
• United Nations. (2025). Sustainable transport. https://sdgs.un.org/topics/sustainable-transport adresinden edinilmiştir.
• Wang, L., Zhang, Q., & Wong, P. P. W. (2022). Purchase Intention for Green Cars Among Chinese Millennials: Merging the Value–Attitude–Behavior Theory and Theory of Planned Behavior. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.786292
• Whillans, A., Sherlock, J., Roberts, J., O’Flaherty, S., Gavin, L., Dykstra, H., & Daly, M. (2021). Nudging the Commute: Using Behaviorally Informed Interventions to Promote Sustainable Transportation. Behavioral Science & Policy, 7 (2), 27–49. https://doi.org/10.1177/237946152100700204
• WHO. (2024). Physical activity. The World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity adresinden edinilmiştir.
• WHO. (2025). Air pollution is responsible for 6.7 million premature deaths every year. The World Health Organization.
• Wiedmann, T., & Minx, J. (2008). A Definition of “Carbon Footprint.” In Nova Science Publishers.
• WMO. (2023). Climate change undermines nearly all sustainable development goals. World Meteorological Organization. https://wmo.int/news/media-centre/climate-change-undermines-nearly-all-sustainable-development-goals adresinden edinilmiştir.
• Wolff, B. (2025). How to calculate CO2 emissions for transport companies. BigMile. https://www.bigmile.eu/blog/how-calculate-co2-emissions-transport adresinden edinilmiştir.
• Wood, J. (2023). The EU just released a new declaration on cycling: Here’s what it means for net-zero. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/stories/2023/10/cycling-declaration-sustainable-net-zero-transport/ adresinden edinilmiştir.
• Xia, T., Zhang, Y., Crabb, S., & Shah, P. (2013). Cobenefits of Replacing Car Trips with Alternative Transportation: A Review of Evidence and Methodological Issues. Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2013, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/797312
• Yang, W., Chen, Y., Gao, Y., & Hu, Y. (2024). The Impact of Urban Transportation Development on Daily Travel Carbon Emissions in China: Moderating Effects Based on Urban Form. Land, 13 (12), 2107. https://doi.org/10.3390/land13122107
• Yeşil Iğdır. (2019). Iğdırlılar Ulaşımda En Çok Bisikleti Tercih Ediyor. Yeşil Iğdır Gazetesi. https://www.yesiligdir.com/igdirlilar-ulasimda-en-cok-bisikleti-tercih-ediyor/25035/ adresinden edinilmiştir.
• Yıldırım, A., & Şimşek, H. (2021). Sosyal Bilimlerde Nitel Araştırma Yöntemleri. Seçkin Yayıncılık.