SHIFTING GEARS 20 Tools for Reducing Global Warming Pollution from New England’s Transportation System

Transportation is the leading source of global warming pollution in New England, responsible for more than one-third of the region’s emissions of carbon dioxide, the leading global warming pollutant. Worse, transportation-sector emissions have been rising for decades and are projected to continue to increase if trends toward more vehicle travel and less fuel-efficient cars and trucks continue.z

For the New England states to follow through on their historic commitment – made in concert with the eastern Canadian provinces in 2001 – to reduce global warming pollution, reducing global warming pollution from transportation is job number one. z

Thankfully, there are many good opportunities for the region to reduce global warming pollution from transportation, while at the same time reducing oil consumption and insulating the regional economy from energy price shocks. z

Shifting Gears lays out 20 “bright ideas” that the region’s leaders should consider in their efforts to build a more sustainable transportation system for the region with less impact on the global climate. Many of these ideas are already being implemented in parts of New England or elsewhere.