UNDP, GEF Support Reduction of South African Public Transport’s Carbon Footprint
5 December 2011: The UN Development Programme (UNDP), through a grant of US$11 million provided by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), is supporting South Africa to reduce its carbon footprint by improving public transport services and non-motorized transport infrastructure in seven cities.
Transport is the second-largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in South Africa. Overall, 70% of South African households are dependent on public transport, which is often dominated by mini-bus taxis. These vehicles carry 63% of public transport for work trips, while buses are responsible for 22%. The project estimates that 423,000 tons of carbon dioxide can be reduced over a ten-year period. If the project interventions can be replicated in other major cities, the reduction of GHG emissions can increase to up two million tons of carbon dioxide based on calculations of fuel use. [UNDP Press Release]