10/01/2018
In recent years, the transport sector has made significant contribution to socioeconomic development of the nation. However, it is also the third largest greenhouse gas (GHG) generators, following energy and agriculture, accounting for 18.38% of the total GHG. To mitigate GHG, the transport sector has been gearing toward environmentally friendly and sustainable approaches.
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| Hồ Chí Minh City invests in new buses using clean energy, contributing to pollution mitigation |
Transport emission - GHG source
According to Transport Development and Strategy Institute, in the period of 2011 - 2016, transport activities consumed a large amount of energy, accounting for 30% of the national energy demand, 60% of the consumed energy and this increased by 10% per year. The road transport consumes energy the most, accounting for 68% of energy consumption of the sector. About 90% of the transport fuel is petrol and diesel (only 0.3% is clean fuel). With the high energy consumption rate, the transport sector has emitted a large amount of GHG, causing climate change. At present, the transport sector produces about 30 tons of CO2 per year, of which road transport accounts for 86%, and the rest (railway, waterway and airway) accounting for 14%.
Transport activities generate a large amount of dust, CO, NOx, SOx, petrol fume, lead dust and benzene, causing air pollution. In particular, dust concentration in the 2nd quarter of 2016 in intersections in big cities such as Hà Nội, Hồ Chí Minh, Hải Phòng and Đà Nẵng were 3 - 5 times higher than the permissible levels. CO and NO2 average daily concentrations in some big intersections also were 1.2 - 1.5 times higher than the permissible levels. Statistics shows that vehicle emissions depend on vehicle quality. Low quality used motored bikes and vehicles have inefficient fuel consumption and generate high levels of air pollutants. These are the main cause of air pollution. In particular, motored bikes are the main polluters of CO. Coaches and trucks generate NO2 the most. In addition, transport noise also is the main noise pollution source.
GHG mitigation solutions
To mitigate negative environmental impact by the transport sector, Minister of Transport recommended the implementation of programs and projects on improving fuel consumption by transport means. Notably is the project eco means system control (EMS) implemented in Hà Nội in 2017 with the objective of improving driving skills and eco driving attitude for taxi drivers. In the meantime, a control system will be installed in taxies to monitor and assess feasibility and effectiveness of GHG mitigation. It is estimated that the EMS will help improve 10% of fuel consumption, and hence if 1,000 taxies participate in the program, 1,000 tons of CO2 will be mitigated per year.
In addition, Ministry of Transport is implementing a project to convert from diesel to compressed natural gas (CNG) for road vehicles with the 1st application for buses in the whole country. The project is being piloted in Hồ Chí Minh city with 50 buses coded 1 using CNG having a route of about 9km between Bến Thành and Chợ Lớn. According to Department of Transport of Hồ Chí Minh City, during the pilot phase, the tested buses are found to go smoothly with the reduction of air pollutants by 53 - 63%, CO2 by 20%, and no black smoke or dust. The fuel is found to be burn completely, saving 30 - 40%. It is expected that by the end of 2017, there will be 800 buses using CNG in Hồ Chí Minh City.
To achieve that target that by 2020, the country will have had 5 - 20% of buses and taxies using CNG, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and solar energy (as stated in Decision 1456/QD-BGTVT on Ministry of Transport’s action plan for responding to climate change period 2016 - 2020, the transport sector need to take the following measures
- Planning for transport infrastructure development towards pollution mitigation: Based on this, road planning for big cities will be completed to facilitate transport commuters. In the meantime, it is necessary to mainstream GHG mitigation into master plans and investment and development plans for the transport sector. In addition, policies and mechanisms for promoting energy saving transport means will need to be issued.
- Implementing transport means emission control and inspection: Strengthening inspection and check points to ensure that motored bikes will be regularly maintained, repaired and checked to meet emission standards. Violators will be issued administrative fines.
- Applying smart transport technologies and green transport technologies to reduce GHG in transport: In the meantime, it is necessary to review and remove step by step outdated and inefficient technologies and equipment. Piloting and scaling up the use of renewable energy and energy saving technology (solar battery and LED lights) in traffic lights.
- Transport sector needs to issue policies to encourage individuals, organizations, and businesses both domestic and overseas to contribute financially for GHG activities.
- Enhancing propaganda and public awareness on GHG mitigation in transport: Disseminating information on GHG mitigation measures such as reducing private transport means and increasing clean energy use.
Phạm Thị Huế
University of Transport Technology
