Towards a greener economy: a critical review of South Africa's policy and legislative responses to transport greening

Abstract

As a sub-component of “green economy”, “the green transport” phrase is used interchangeably with eco-mobility, sustainable transport and clean transport. It has gained momentum as a way of addressing several socio-economic and environmental challenges associated with the conventional fossil-based transportation systems. Governments across the world have since developed policies and financial support mechanisms to pursue a greener transportation path. As a player in the global system, South Africa is expected to play a particular role. While research has been conducted in South Africa on various themes of transport greening, there seemed to be a lack of academic, integrated and comprehensive analyses of policy responses to these themes. This research thus sought to investigate and provide insight on the government’s responses to the transport greening revolution. It sought to benchmark this country against leading global players, making recommendations on policy directions for five transport greening themes: fuel quality, fuel economy, fuel switch, technology switch and non-motorised transportation. The aim was to contribute to the green economy body of knowledge, while assisting in guiding policy direction to enhance the country’s response system to the transport greening transition. Primary data were collected from interviews largely with representatives of key government departments at national and provincial levels as well as from attendance at various government and industry fora. Secondary data were obtained from policy, legislative and regulatory documents as well as official reports. Both primary and secondary data were analysed qualitatively using content analysis and presented using graphic, tabular and verbatim techniques. Using ideas borrowed from interventionist, systems, sustainability and globalisation conceptual frameworks, this research describes how South Africa is lagging behind the rest of the world in terms of transport greening policies and related financial and non-financial support mechanisms. Examples of good practice are nonetheless evident within the governance system. These include the adoption of globally accepted emissions and fuel economy standards, inclusion of transport greening agenda in various domestic legislative and policy frameworks, through to the exemption of certain transport greening products from import and local taxes. Many gaps still exist such as lack of incentives actively stimulating the demand and supply of green transport goods and services. This research therefore calls for more state intervention to address these gaps and strengthen existing policy and legislative frameworks. Due to the small sample of data sources used, the results are not generalisable, but nonetheless provide insight on green transportation and what South African policy makers should consider to improve the status quo.