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S. Africa calls for travel behavior change to reduce emissions

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JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- A conference promoting non-motorized transport (NMT) opened here on Friday, with participants calling for a change in the public's travel behavior to reduce emissions.

The conference is part of the South African government's efforts to encourage walking and cycling, green vehicles, car-sharing, and the building of urban transport systems that are fuel-efficient and space-saving.

The meeting is only one of several national, regional and international forums in which the government is seeking best practices with a view to crafting policy and activating behavioral changes that will ensure action is taken now to save the future, South African Environmental Affairs Department Director General Nosipho Gcaba told the conference.

"The impact of vehicle emissions on air quality and our environment is significant," Gcaba said. "Although developed countries with high car ownership and usage are the main culprits, they are taking steps to change their travel behavior so that they reduce their negative impact on the environment."

Gcaba said increased car usage, traffic congestion, poor public transport and reliance on fossil fuels were the main cause of the worsening air quality.

"The ever deteriorating air quality also affects the health of our people and ultimately our quality of life, which invariably contributes to the negative impact of climate change," she said.

Gcaba said walking and cycling were two options to minimize carbon emissions.

She cited a 2003 survey by the South African Department of Transport which found that 2.26 million or 23 percent of the workforce indicated that they were walking to their places of work. In metropolitan areas, about 8.7 percent were walking, whereas figures for urban and rural areas were much higher, respectively 24 percent and 51.8 percent.

The survey also showed that 90.6 percent of the 7.5 million learners in rural areas were walking to schools and educational centers.

"In our endeavors for increased levels of economic growth and job creation, we must be responsible by ensuring that our transport initiatives and interventions support access and mobility needs through sustainable and effective public transport and NMT programs," Gcaba said.

NMT is the primary means of transportation for people in many developing countries. Enditem