Environmental sustainability of the Nigeria transport sector through decomposition and decoupling analysis with future framework for sustainable transport pathways

Abstract

The paper presents the environmental sustainability of the Nigeria transport sector (NTPS) through the decomposition and decoupling analysis from 1988–2019. The study’s objective is to determine ways of saving energy in the NTPS and reduce carbon emission for a sustainable environment. The approach was based on the Logarithmic Mean Divisa Index (LMDI) and the Tapio approach, built on Kaya extended identity. Five decoupling indicators were considered based on the four energy carriers consumed in the NTPS. The indicators include economic activity, energy structure, economic structure, population and energy intensity. The results identified three decoupling states, weak negative decoupling, weak decoupling and strong decoupling. The energy intensity, economic activity, population and energy structure prevented decoupling during the study period, while the economic structure factor promoted decoupling. The overall impact of carbon emissions from NTPS was calculated at 44.45 million tonnes of CO2. The study suggests frameworks that will support policy makers to formulate broad base policies for environmental sustainability.

Keywords

• Decomposition
• Decoupling
• Environment
• Sustainability
• CO2