Using Bus Rapid Transit to Mitigate Emissions of CO2 from Transport.

This article investigates the role of bus rapid transit as a tool for mitigation of transport-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. We analyse a Quality Bus Corridor (QBC) implemented in Dublin, Ireland, in 1999 and estimate CO2 emissions associated with differing levels of bus priority for the period 1998-2003 and for the Kyoto commitment period (2008-12). Associated monetary values are established using CO2 prices from the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme. We find that, in the absence of a QBC, peak-time emissions for our sample population would have been 50% higher than in the factual scenario. For the Kyoto commitment period, we find the median value of the policy implementation to be in the region of €650 000. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]