In the United States, transportation (cars, trucks, ships, trains, and planes) contributes 29% (2019) of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the largest amount of all sectors, including industry and electricity. Over half of transportation emissions come from passenger cars, medium- and heavy-duty trucks, and light-duty trucks, including sport utility vehicles. Emissions between 1990 and 2019 have trended upward as the number of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by passenger cars and light-duty trucks increased by 48 percent during that period. Much of this growth stems from the expansion of land for economic activities and housing. The result is car-dependent sprawl.
Land use is fundamentally a responsibility of local governments – which land is developed, what is built on it, and what modes of transport are fostered to travel over it. With a focus on reducing VMT, communities can use their powers to:
Description: Electric vehicle (EV) carshare programs for underserved communities provide emissions free vehicles to drivers who might not otherwise have […]
Increase access to EVs Read More »
Description: Electric vehicle (EV) carshare programs for underserved communities provide emissions free vehicles to drivers who might not otherwise have
Description: Traffic congestion is a growing issue in urban areas around the world. In the U.S. alone, the economic cost
Reduce VMT and Emissions by Congestion Pricing Read More »
Description: Traffic congestion is a growing issue in urban areas around the world. In the U.S. alone, the economic cost
Description: In the transportation sector, mobile sources and the fossil fuels that power them are the largest contributors to the formation
Air Pollution Agency Rules to Reduce Emissions from Drayage Vehicles Read More »
Description: In the transportation sector, mobile sources and the fossil fuels that power them are the largest contributors to the formation
Description: Local governments across the country are adopting land-use plans and zoning regulations enabling dual-use approaches to solar power generation and
Create or Update Zoning Ordinances to Enable Dual-Use Agrivoltaics Read More »
Description: Local governments across the country are adopting land-use plans and zoning regulations enabling dual-use approaches to solar power generation and
Description: The EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program, established under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022, offered grant money
EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program Read More »
Description: The EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program, established under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022, offered grant money
Description: The global scientific community and many governments worldwide agree that global warming is caused by increased atmospheric concentrations of carbon
State and Local GHG Emission Reduction Programs Read More »
Description: The global scientific community and many governments worldwide agree that global warming is caused by increased atmospheric concentrations of carbon
Description: Zoning ordinances are frequently used to advance the goals of General Plans for development in cities or counties. Zoning that
LEED Certification for Zoning Requirements Read More »
Description: Zoning ordinances are frequently used to advance the goals of General Plans for development in cities or counties. Zoning that
Description: Cities around the country are reducing or eliminating requirements for off-street parking in new developments, saving developers and residents
Zoning Changes Facilitate Development of Arizona’s Car-Free Community Read More »
Description: Cities around the country are reducing or eliminating requirements for off-street parking in new developments, saving developers and residents
Description: City and county Comprehensive Plans, also known as General Plans or Master Plans, are long-range plans that guide decision-making;
Description: City and county Comprehensive Plans, also known as General Plans or Master Plans, are long-range plans that guide decision-making;
Description: Denver residents are receiving instant rebates to buy e-bikes (battery powered bikes) following the city’s implementation of a new
E-bike vouchers to reduce VMT Read More »
Description: Denver residents are receiving instant rebates to buy e-bikes (battery powered bikes) following the city’s implementation of a new
