GHG accounting for pubilc transport in Xiamen city, China

Abstract

How to account for GHG emissions for public transport is now a key issue for low-carbon city development. This study provides a method to evaluate carbon footprinting for public transport systems in Xiamen city, China across the life cycle. This method, which was based on the life cycle assessment approach including three components – infrastructure, fuels and vehicles – was presented to account the GHG emissions of public transport. The GHG emissions of the two kinds of public transport systems (bus rapid transit [BRT] and normal bus transit [NRT]) in Xiamen City were compared. Results showed that the average carbon emissions of the BRT system was 638.44 gCO₂e per person, and that of the NBT system was 2,088.38 gCO₂e. If we only took the direct carbon emissions of fuel consumption in the vehicle operation into consideration, the average carbon emissions were, respectively, approximately 149.08 gCO₂e per person and 260.84 gCO₂e per person by BRT and NBT system. The results indicated that the effects of energy saving from the BRT system are better than NBT system, which is related to the features of the BRT system such as large volume, energy-saving and environment-friendly vehicle type and exclusive right-of way.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This study was supported by Chinese Academy of Sciences (KZCX2-YW-450), International Cooperation Program of State Commission of Science and Technology of China (2009DFB90120), National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 71003090) and Public Welfare Project on Environment Protection (No. 201009055). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. Writing assistance was utilized from Marian Rhys of Simply better.