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South Africa

Net-zero target: 2050 / Motorisation rate (2020): 182,6 vehicles per 1,000 inhabitants / Change in transport sector emissions (1990-2019): 66,9 % / Projected total CO₂ emissions per capita in the transport sector in 2030: 1,04 t

South Africa’s transport sector is dominated by road travel, but the country has good port and rail infrastructure and a growing airline industry. The country is the most urbanised in Africa, with over two-thirds of the population living in urban areas. Domestic travel patterns are characterised by large distances between places of residence and employment. A large share of passenger transport takes place on foot or by bicycle. Some major metropolitan areas are adopting Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) systems and the Metrorail system operates in four regions.

South Africa's Green Transport Strategy includes an objective to reduce GHG emissions from the transport sector by 50–80% by 2050 relative to 1990 levels. It also contains mode shift targets for passengers and freight and an interim target for vehicle efficiency by 2030. These targets were adopted before South Africa announced its ambition to achieve a net-zero economy by 2050. Vehicles are taxed at registration based on their CO₂ emissions, and a general CO₂ tax was introduced in 2019.