Botswana will during the month of September submit its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
While many Batswana previously thought that climate change was a farfetched concept, there are signs that it’s a problem for us too, and government is determined to take appropriate action. The first sector to feel the heat is the transport sector. The sector is the second highest emitter of Green House Gases after the energy sector. Because change will be effected through promotion of use of alternative energy like solar, the transport sector should undergo transformation.
The issue of compiling and submitting INDCs was discussed at the 17th Conference of Parties (COP) in December 2011 in Durban, South Africa. An Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action (ADP) was established to develop a protocol, a legal instrument or an agreed outcome with legal force under the convention, applicable to all parties, to come into effect and be implemented from 2020. COPs are annual conferences in which country representatives gather at various venues to discuss how best they can work together to tackle climate change.
This was in recognition of the need to fulfill the ultimate objective of the Convention, which was to achieve, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Convention, stabilization of the concentrations of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic (Human induced) interference with the climate system. Countries have recognized the need to take urgent action to meet the long term goal of holding the increase in global average temperature below two Degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The ADP process would plan its work around mitigation (reduction of emissions), adaptation (device means of living with emissions impact), finance, technology development and transfer, capacity building and transparency of action and support.
In 2013, at the COP19 in Warsaw, a decision was made, which invited parties to initiate or intensify preparation of INDCs towards achieving the objective of the Convention. The developed INDCs will address key feasibility questions regarding national GHG reduction potential through identification and validation of findings from ongoing and previous studies. Botswana has to submit INDCs, explain the actions it has taken, and continue to ensure reduction of its emission of gases into the atmosphere.
That explained, the Botswana INDCs Consultancy pointed out the fact that; “The transport sector is one of the consumers of fossil based petroleum products, which automatically qualifies it to be one of the major contributors to national GHG emissions. A survey for transportation usage in the country reveals that most of the urban commuters use private cars within the cities to work. Ultimately, this increases the demand for petroleum use and hence increases GHG emissions. Thus, improving the public transport systems would reduce the use of private or individual cars. One way to encourage the population to use public transport is by substituting the mini-buses with buses. This will ensure that over-crowding in buses is reduced and hence increase the attractiveness of the public transport system.”
It further states improvement of the buses’ routes with timetable at each bus station and improvement in the punctuality of the buses. Introduction of road commuter road rail buses can also be of great importance especially that the roads will need minimum maintenance to cater for the rail/road buses. Moreover, solar based commuter cable buses in two main cities can also be introduced to reduce traffic congestion on the ground.
To mini-bus operators within the greater Gaborone, the well known transformation renewed old troubles. Samuel Makoba, a Metsimotlhabe route operator, has criticized decision makers for failing to address problems besieging the transport industry, instead coming up with decisions that were copied from developed countries.
“It takes us two hours to leave this congested rank. We have for too long been waiting for this fire brigade building to be removed from here so that we don’t have to enter and exit from the same point as other route operators. Instead of addressing this important issue they are now diverting attention with this transformation idea,” said Makoba
He however admitted that he is aware of the plan to transform the transport sector.
“Allegations are there that traffic congestion caused by mini-buses and private cars contribute in emission of GHGs’. I don’t believe mini-buses increase emissions, blame the private cars,” he said.
Another Mmopane operator, who only called himself Jack said accused government of making decisions without thorough consultations with stakeholders. This he said creates a wider gap between the poor and the rich. But a Gabane route operator, Selepe Moabi said he was aware of the plan, but asked what will happen to their mini-buses once buses take over.
Selepe further said he was aware of the climate change situation, adding that he believes congestion is brought about by use of private cars and the fact that mini-buses area unable to cope with the number of commuters in the greater Gaborone.
He further said he has attended numerous meetings at which transport operators were told that plans are underway and a budget in place to transform the transport sector.
“The biggest bus that will replace mini-buses will have a carrying capacity of 250 passengers,” he said.
Several commuters who also welcomed the development, saying it will address the problem of late coming and poor service from rude conductors.
Because GHGs emissions are a function of annual mileage, transforming the transport sector would drastically reduce the associated emissions. Internationally, it has been proven that improved transport systems result in reduced private vehicle mileages of approximately 10 percent per vehicle. In addition, it is also important that facilities are put in place to support non-motorized transportation modes such as cycling. This includes introducing shower facilities at work and improved cycling path to work. It is estimated that the cumulative effects of an improved transport system and cycling will result in reduced mileage of approximately 300 km per year. Total reduction in Carbon Dioxide (O2) is estimated at 1347.8 Giga grams (Gg) of CO2 equivalent (eq) by 2030 and other Green House Gases.
