Local Action Moves the World Transportation & Climate Change Project Cities in Action: Reducing Air Pollution and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Transportation Sector Local Action Moves the World

Goals of the Presentation… Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions in the Transportation Sector: Bad News and Good News Framing the Problem Framing the Solution Examples of Smart Growth Planning and Sustainable Transportation Policies How ICLEI Can Help

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions in the Transportation Sector GHGs are heat trapping gases that contribute to global warming The transportation sector produces multiple GHGs including: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (NOx) CO2 is the bulk of GHG emissions from the transportation sector

BAD NEWS: Transportation is a Major Source of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Transportation Accounts for nearly 1/3 of GHG emissions in the U.S. From 1990 to 2004, transportation emissions in the U.S. increased by 29% Recent Increases in emissions attributed to greater Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Long-term growth in driving distances and reduced fuel efficiencies of vehicles are expected to outpace the emissions benefits of vehicle technology improvements

Infrastructure spending Fleet fuel efficiency GOOD NEWS: Local Governments are Uniquely Positioned to Do Something About it Local Governments have influence over decisions that affect transportation emissions: Land use regulation Infrastructure spending Fleet fuel efficiency

Framing the Problem: Our Dependency on the Automobile Cities and regions are car dependent by design Current city planning model makes driving necessary Society caters to and subsidizes the automobile Low-density requirements Single-use zoning Sprawl promotes increased VMT

Framing the Problem Cont’d: Sprawl and GHGs Ewing et al. (2002), concluded that the degree of sprawl was the strongest influence on vehicle miles traveled per person Characteristics of Sprawl Land use functions are isolated from each other (commercial, residential, workplace) Low population densities not conducive to transit Origins and destinations are further apart Results Increases in GHG emissions contribute to global warming Increasing air pollution has public health and non-compliance issues Additional road infrastructure puts more cars on the road, increases traffic congestion, costs to local governments, and loss of open space

Framing the Solution: Planning that Reduces Dependency on Automobiles and Increases Fuel Efficiency Goal: Smart Growth Policies and Efficient Transportation Solutions: Local Governments have influence over decisions that affect transportation emissions through land use regulation and infrastructure spending Endorse higher density developments Promote mix of land uses and transit-oriented communities Site-level urban design features that promote safety and access to local services on foot

Framing the Solution Cont’d Local governments can lead by example Manage vehicle fleets Promote alternative transportation options for employees Develop policies that encourage smart growth in the community REMEMBER: You may have strategies already in place that have emissions benefits (show specific examples here i.e. smart growth and sustainable transportation policies)

Co-benefits of Emissions Reduction Measures Financial savings Livability of communities Improved Air Quality Public health benefits

Smart Growth Planning and Sustainable Transportation Policy Examples: Somerville, MA: Davis Square I-95 New Haven Harbor Crossing Corridor Improvement (NHCC Project) Brattleboro, VT: Designated Downtown Program San Francisco, CA: Golden Gate Bridge

Somerville, MA: Davis Square Development Oriented around the T stations Mix of commercial, residential, employment Streetscape Improvements: Street lighting, tree plantings, and sidewalks

I-95 New Haven Harbor Crossing Corridor Improvement (NHCC Project) 83 diesel oxidation catalysts installed at the NHCC project Low sulfur diesel (500 ppm sulfur content) used in all nonroad equipment Part of Connecticut’s Clean Air Construction Initiative launched to protect laborers as well as residents from harmful construction emissions along a densely populated corridor Estimates for reduced emissions from the program Carbon monoxide = 20 tons per year Fine particulate matter = 2 tons per year (with clean fuels and oxidation catalysts) Hydrocarbons = 8 tons per year (with oxidation catalysts only)

Brattleboro, VT: Designated Downtown Program Part of Vermont Downtown Program Downtown revitalization occurs with the collaboration of downtown stakeholders across a variety of program areas and projects Requires strong and sustained local leadership from both the public and private sectors Provides new opportunities for commercial growth in town centers Attracts new businesses, creates more jobs, generates new investments, and preserves or enhances the vitality of downtowns

San Francisco, CA: Golden Gate Bridge Reduced tolls for vanpools and carpools can be more effective when combined with exclusive-use lanes Tolls are free on the Bridge in the HOV lanes for carpools/vanpools of 3 or more during weekdays from 5 am to 9 am and 4 pm to 6 pm, except on holidays

How Can ICLEI Assist? Cities for Climate Protection ® Campaign Cumulative local actions have a positive impact on global climate change Over 650 participants worldwide Over 165 participants in U.S. = 19% of U.S. GHG emissions Benefits for Participants Peer exchange opportunities and workshops Access to a network of local governments Publications, Software, Technical support, and more!

The CCP Milestone Process Make Commitment Milestone 1 Inventory Emissions Milestone 2. Set Target/Goal Milestone 3. Establish Local Action Plan Milestone 5. Monitor/Evaluate Progress Milestone 4. Implement Local Action Plan

2005 Results from CCP Participants 23 million tons of annual eCO2 reduced 75 million gallons of fuel reduced per year (diesel and gasoline) $535 million saved after payback

For More Assistance, Please Contact ICLEI 510.844.0699 http://www.iclei.org/usa Local Action Moves the World