RAIL TRANSPORT DOES NOT PRODUCE HARMFUL EMISSIONS

Carbon monoxide emissions from most vehicles are harmful to the environment but public and rail transport does not produce as much harmful emissions.

On a global scale, South Africa’s contribution to greenhouse gas on a per-capita basis is well above global averages and that of other middle-income developing countries.

South Africa’s economy is carbon-intensive, producing only US$259 per ton of carbon dioxide emitted, as compared with US$1 131 for South Korea, US$484 for Mexico and US$418 for Brazil. This is according to the South Africa Yearbook 2005/2006.

In South Africa, climate change is evident and will continue, even if greenhouse gas concentrations are stabilised. As such, it will continue to undermine sustainable development. Expanded desertification in the semi-arid areas of the country is already a feature of the South African landscape.

Public transport produces 95% less carbon monoxide, 90% less in volatile organic compounds and about half as much carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide per passenger-km as private vehicles. In line with this, Gautrain will considerably reduce air pollution generated by transport as it is anticipated that Gautrain will reduce CO2 emissions by about 70 tons.