Sustainable Public Transport Systems
2010-01-20 from:Alternative Energy author:
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Growing transportation problems, including gasoline prices and carbon dioxide emissions, are forcing urban governments to consider implementing better public transportation initiatives in an effort to reduce the impact of the declining oil economy on our environment and financial markets. Research and development of renewable energy sources will require increased funding commitments from municipalities already struggling to overcome their congestion and pollution problems. The United Nations hopes that these initiatives will help reduce energy costs, pollution and even urban poverty. |
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Cities across Africa have been urged to consolidate their struggles towards accessing a growing range of global environment funds in order to be able to assist in the funding of sustainable public transport systems and less polluting energy supplies.
According to Achim Steiner, United Nations Under Secretary-General and Executive Director of the Nairobi based UN Environment Programme (UNEP), an increasing number of cities in the developing countries of Asia and Latin America are starting to introduce modern 21st century rapid bus transit systems, alongside measures to boost safer cycling and walking.
The investments, according to him, are so far benefiting some five cities in Latin America, including Mexico City and Panama City, and other investments underway in Jakarta and Hanoi in Asia,, are being catalysed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The GEF was established in the early 1990s to assist developing countries to achieve sustainable development and was replenished at the tune of about $3 billion some few weeks ago.
Meanwhile, the Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol on climate change offers a chance to better handle urban wastes. Gases emitted by big rubbish tips can be used to generate electricity, and thus attract new streams of funding under these carbon credit schemes.
GEF-funded sustainable transport
According to a UNEP press release, only Dar El Salaam of Tanzania, has taken advantage of GEF funding with a rapid Bus Transit System earmarked for sustainable transport projects, with South Africa, hoping to use GEF funding to help its cities boost sustainable public transportation for the 2010 World Cup.
Speaking at the summit in the Kenyan capital, Mr Steiner urged other cities in Africa to follow suit.
“The streets and infrastructure of most of Africa’s cities are being overwhelmed by traffic, leading to rising levels of hazardous air pollution and impacts on the economy. Africa should consider the mistakes made on continents, such as Europe, which indicates that trying to build your way out of the problem by constructing more and more roads can be expensive and deliver only short-term benefits.” he noted.
He asserted that while the GEF funding is aimed at reducing pollution linked with climate change, the wider benefits could transform the daily lives of Africa’s urban citizens, reduce poverty and also help in achieving the Millennium Development Goals.