Transport is for many people a rather straightforward concept: getting people and/or goods from A to B. But looking a bit closer many things come into play, like technology, geography, safety, etc. And of course the means to realise transportation ambitions. On the latter, on the economic aspects, Professor Yves Crozet is a specialist. He has built up a research reputation in Europe, providing advice to decision-makers regarding societal impact of transport and mobility choices. In this Journal’s Long Read article he focuses on the environmental costs of transport and whether EU objectives set for transportation and actions to counter climate change can still be reconciled.