Skills and Knowledge Transfer for Transitioning into the Green Economy

This chapter aimed at identifying skills required for transitioning into green economy in the transport sector, preferred careers and institutions, challenges that could hinder transition to green economy in transport sector in addition to suggesting policy recommendations in case study carried out Limpopo Province. Case studies are required to provide insight into the nature of the current situation with respect to transition to green economy in the transport sector and providing knowledge and evidence on skills required transition to green transport. The study followed a qualitative and exploratory methodology involving administering questionnaire to purposively selected participants and stakeholder workshop aimed at discussing and debating on required knowledge and skills for transition to green economy in Limpopo Province, identifying challenges and policy recommendations. A total of twenty questionnaires were completed while 56 delegates from different departments and organisations participated in the workshop. A wide range of specific skills needs within technical, management skills and knowledge on techniques and skills on innovation and management for change categories, in the transport sector and their value chains were identified. Many of the skills required in the transport sector correspond to those required for the general green economy indicating that the transport sector will also benefit through implementation of the green economy in all sectors in the province. Most people chose environmental science as the most suitable career to follow in ensuring green economy. The respondents recognized the importance of mainstreaming the green economy at all levels of study. Challenges that could hinder transition to green economy include inadequate training and awareness programs, lack of existing skills directly related to the green economy at work places and inadequate funding for skills development in the green economy. Some of the policy recommendations include green growth capacity building for public administrators and policy makers, knowledge and skills transfer to be identified following the value chain based on the jobs required for each mode of green transport, development of methodology to mainstream green economy in all work places, mainstreaming green economy at all education levels, government to fund policy and legislation, and research and innovation related to green transport.

Transport Modes and the Green Economy

This chapter provides empirical evidence regarding the various transport modes and the green economy in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Issues pertaining to green transport, strategies for implementation and any challenges associated with the transition towards green transport are grounded on empirical research conducted in the province. In South Africa, transitioning to a green economy is envisioned as a vital means to respond to critical development challenges that the country is facing and will continue to face in the near future. Many of these challenges are intertwined and they range from high levels of unemployment, poverty and inequality, to energy, security and climate change. The transition to a greener economy is articulated in the national development policy through a series of frameworks, strategies, policies and Acts which all enshrine sustainability or the notion of making the South African economy greener (Department of Environment Affairs (2016) . However, the implementation of green transport in general and particularly in the Limpopo province, is still in the infancy stage.

Conclusion

Transition to green economy and transport is crucial to reduce environmental problems such as greenhouse gas emissions and climate change in South Africa. However, the challenges associated with the transition present opportunities for innovation and mitigation within the green economy and transport sector. Green economy and transport sector initiatives have the potential to address economic and environmental challenges and open new sources of growth.

Vehicle Management and Emission Control and Maintenance

South Africa range 15th as the world largest CO2 emitter contributing to 1.2% of global emission. During the Kyoto Protocol of 2014, South Africa pledged to reduce its emission by 34% and 42% in 2020 and 2025 respectively. This study is a combination of literature review from South Africa with particular emphasis on road transport. The focus was on vehicle emission with reference to Limpopo Province to demonstrate how emissions from primarily the use of diesel and petrol as one of the major contributors to CO2 emission in the province are vital for the sustainability debate. The methodology used to illustrate the dangers of vehicular emissions were based on statistical estimates from the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) inventory report from 2000 to 2010. The information used in assessing the vehicle emission standards in Limpopo were obtained from DEA. The findings from literature reviews in general and the results from the field survey from Limpopo Province shed some light on South Africa's vehicle emissions policy issues and standards. Also the analysis focused on the impact of vehicular fleet management and carbon emissions. The article concludes by drilling down to vehicle users, motor vehicle repairs, engine over haulers, used engine collection and disposal with respect to their roles in vehicle emission and control in South Africa.

Environment, Climate Change and the Green Economy

To identify and evaluate possible impacts of climate change on transportation in Limpopo province, it is necessary to define the scale and scope of the transportation system in the province and determine its sensitivities to climate change. This chapter, therefore locates the environment, climate change and the green economy matters in context. The science of climate change is explored, while the main sources of greenhouse gases are discussed. Additionally, the impacts of climate change in South Africa is outlined. Strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in the transport sector are provided.

Technology Innovations in Green Transport

The paper uses the case study of Limpopo province to discuss technology innovations in green transport in South Africa with respect to the reduction of global greenhouse emission through technology innovation. South Africa’s emission from fuel combustion is the world’s 15th largest in forms of CO emission because it contributes about 1.2% of global emissions. In a submission from the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) on the impact of greenhouse emissions stated that companies are required to be innovative to reduce the carbon emission levels in South Africa. Literature on road transport in South Africa shows that road transport is the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 19% of global energy consumption. The policy to promote an integrated public transport in municipalities is in line with the National Development Plan and the White Paper on National Climate Change Response. This requires innovative technology that promotes carbon trading markets such as taxi recapitalisation programmes and carbon tax on new vehicles. The study analysed the factors influencing green technology innovations in South Africa with specific reference to Limpopo province green transportation study. The methodology used to unpack innovative technology in South Africa discusses green technology in Limpopo province in the context of greenhouse gases emission reduction innovative technologies in the transport sector with respect to sustainable fuels, energy efficient systems and smart information as well as hybrid technologies. The study advances arguments on technologies for engine and propulsion systems, alternative energy sources, navigation technologies, cargo handling systems, heating and cooling vehicles, road and rail vehicles and maritime transportation with respect to innovations as well as battery charging systems, engine oil disposal etc. The findings shows that no single trajectory of technology innovation in green transport will suffice but technological innovations that improve fuel economy and transition from fossil fuels to cleaner fuel alternatives. The study in Limpopo province showed that green transport innovations must not obscure the role of non-technological innovations in reducing emissions, but the two should be tackled with green transport value chain as a whole.

Regulatory Frameworks, Policies, Norms and Standards

This chapter provides a review of policies, strategies, and regulations in the transport sector. The narrative plays out in terms of outlining national, provincial, and local application dimensions and impacts of transport using green transport lenses. The different application scales for transport policies, strategies and regulations as enunciated through different spheres of government constitutes the main thread of the discussion. In any case, the impact and outcomes of government and non-governmental transport intervention are discussed from a green transport perspective. Complementary to this, the role and scope for norms and standards in promoting green transport policy, innovation and activities is outlined. A thematic approach is used in unpacking green transport issues with respect to transport in Limpopo province. The analysis is anchored within the green transport systems theory of innovation framework.

Introduction

This book provides policy framework on “towards a Green Economy in the Transport Sector” draws inspiration from the UNEP report on Green Economy Modeling (2014), which focused on South Africa with respect to Transport, Natural Resource Management, Agriculture, and Energy sectors. This is because in the last 10 years natural resources, environmental risks and ecological issues have come to the attention of the international community because the subject is fundamentally important for overarching sustainable growth. It is important to note that environmental problems such as greenhouse gas emissions and climate change in different regions of the world including South Africa result in significant problems. However, the challenges can provide an opportunity to do things differently. Further to this in 2010, South Africa hosted the Green Economy Summit to set up the stage for the formulation of a Green Economy Plan. In line with this, the choice for a New Growth Path (NGP) was formulated and it was aimed at creating new green jobs in their thousands by 2020. It was in this context that the NGP policy framework on green economy in the transport sector was envisaged to respond to the request by Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA) to assess potential opportunities and policy levers to inform a green economy in the transport sector. The findings from the desktop research, the stakeholder workshop and the field survey reports form the basis from which the policy framework recommendations in this report were made.