With a worldwide growing concern for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and their impact on human health and the environment, transportation becomes a central theme in mitigation, being responsible for 14 percent of human GHG emissions. In order to build endurance to climate change, transportation services must not only adapt to the current scenario, but also act quickly to avert future changes. Deeply rooted changes in socio-technical systems will be necessary to achieve significant CO2 reduction and secure the wellbeing of future generations. The objectives of this study are to (1) achieve a comprehensive view of the current state of carbon mitigation in the transportation sector and (2) contribute to the current sustainability scenario by raising awareness among scholars and practitioners. This is done thorough a systematic literature review, engrained in the socio-technical transition theory and in the structural theory of contingency, and through the development of a CO2 calculator. Twenty-one review papers are selected for full-text examination in the area of carbon emissions in transportation. Enablers, barriers, benefits, disadvantages and metrics in carbon emissions reduction are identified and a comprehensive framework is built. Results provide a view of the current scenario of sustainability in transportation and allow a better understanding of the factors influencing carbon emission initiatives in transportation, as well as its outcomes. A mobile iOS app is developed to estimate CO2 emissions. The app is available for download at the App Store under the name of LogCO2: Carbon Emissions Calculator. A scenario planning simulation is offered, showing potential uses of the technological product. The software will also be submitted for registration at the Brazilian INPI institute.