Public transportation emerges as a Caribbean asset in the fight against climate change
On the heels of the COP28 meeting, there was a global consensus to make a full and immediate transition from gas-powered vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs). This action aims to address the climate change issues in transportation in a more rigorous manner and to meet the targets set in the near future. While this effort is applauded, it is important to address the many challenges that will need to be dealt with for this transition to be environmentally effective.
Even though EVs generate fewer greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than gas vehicles throughout their lifespan, the manufacturing process may offset this difference. Presently, the production of EV batteries consumes a substantial amount of energy, often derived from fossil fuels, resulting in the production of approximately 70 percent more CO2 compared to traditional car battery production methods.
Furthermore, the disposal and recycling of EV batteries can also contribute to the levels of CO2 pollution. The economic feasibility of not recycling these batteries, coupled with their current limitations for recycling, makes addressing these issues important to maximising the positive impact of the shift to EVs.
There is a practical and long-term solution to mitigate climate issues stemming from GHG emission in transportation – public transportation. At COP28, emphasis was placed on the need for a shift from private cars to active travel modes, such as walking and cycling, and public transportation. The beauty of public transportation is its capacity to transport more people in a single trip compared to private cars. Even with the incorporation of EVs in public transportation fleets, it allows us to minimise the production of EV batteries. Public transportation emerges as a sustainable and effective solution.
While the solution is clear, it’s not a straight road. Here in the Caribbean, the public transportation systems have structural problems, limited maintenance, and are often regarded as an afterthought by many travellers.
At present, we are seeing the impact on our transportation system from planning decisions made as early as the 1970s. The decision to have single use, rather than mixed land use developments (the policy of having solely commercial and solely residential land development), has led to the auto-centric travel behaviour of the region. Many people believe that the car is a necessity.
Currently, the public transportation system primarily caters to captive travellers (those without alternative means of transportation). To decarbonise the system, reduce environmental degradation, and encourage a modal shift, we need to optimise public transportation in the Caribbean. It can be the hero that we need, in this climate change fight.
