An assessment of the underlying relationship between land transportation and climate change: Case study Mauritius

Reshma Sunkur; Kushal Naiko; Ajay Agundhooa; Rischay Jhugroo; Chandradeo Bokhoree

doi:10.18502/japh.v6i2.7951

Reshma Sunkur Department of Environment, Science and Social Sustainability, School of Sustainable Development and Tourism, University of Technology, Mauritius, La Tour Koenig, Pointe aux Sables, Mauritiusn
Kushal Naiko Department of Environment, Science and Social Sustainability, School of Sustainable Development and Tourism, University of Technology, Mauritius, La Tour Koenig, Pointe aux Sables, Mauritiusn
Ajay Agundhooa Department of Environment, Science and Social Sustainability, School of Sustainable Development and Tourism, University of Technology, Mauritius, La Tour Koenig, Pointe aux Sables, Mauritiusn
Rischay Jhugroo Department of Environment, Science and Social Sustainability, School of Sustainable Development and Tourism, University of Technology, Mauritius, La Tour Koenig, Pointe aux Sables, Mauritiusn
Chandradeo Bokhoree Department of Environment, Science and Social Sustainability, School of Sustainable Development and Tourism, University of Technology, Mauritius, La Tour Koenig, Pointe aux Sables, Mauritiusn

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/japh.v6i2.7951

Keywords: Climate change; Air pollution; Mauritius; System dynamics

Abstract

Introduction: Land transportation encompasses the movement of people and goods and is therefore a major contributor of global greenhouses gases. The main share of such emissions is mostly from the release of carbon dioxide into the air as a result of burning transportation fuels obtained from petroleum, a major driver of climate change. While today the defining issue is a changing climate, the number of vehicles on roads keep on rising around the world.

Materials and methods: This study assessed the relationship between land transportation and climate change using a system dynamics model based on a 3-layered taxonomy using Mauritius Island as case study. Over 100 papers were analyzed and the variables that link land transportation and climate change in the Mauritian context were selected and a taxonomy divided into sub-units was built.

Results: This innovative taxonomy was divided into 3 sections related to the land transportation sector including a vehicle layer, transport system layer and society layer. Using these variables, three stock and flow diagrams were constructed on Vensim, namely climate change impacts, transport related carbon dioxide and socio-economic models.

Conclusion: While there is a complex relationship between land transportation and climate change globally, Mauritius must find ways to become more climate friendly in the land transportation sector.