Strategies on Global Warming in Korean Railroad: Survey of CO2 Emissions
Since Kyoto Protocol became effective in 2005, Korean government has taken various measures to reduce CO2 emission which is a main global warming source. Especially, it is necessary to improve transportations with about 30 % of total CO2 emission. Because railroad consumes much less carbon than other transportations, the increase of railroad use is an important method for the reduction of CO2 in a traffic sector. In line with this policy, this study investigated CO2 emission released from the operation of rolling stocks in Korean railroad and suggested several strategies to decrease CO2 emission efficiently. In 2004, total CO2 emission was about 1.4 million ton, which increased gradually around 2 % a year based on 1990 level. Diesel-powered trains produced more than 50 % of total CO2 emission although only 27 % of trains are diesel-powered. Among electric-powered trains, electric motor units (EMUs) with the car-body of aluminum emitted less CO2 than those with the car-body of stainless steel. Thus, we suggested “2006 Korea Railroad Global Warming Program (2006-2010)”. This program aims to reduce CO2 emission by at least 10 % by 2020 (compared to 1990 level) from raising the proportion of electric-powered trains and lightening the weight of rolling stocks.