Emission Reductions
Train Travel Gains Popularity as 'Flight Shame' Trends in Europe
A greener life means fewer flights for many Europeans.
North Carolina Reconsidering its Stance on Climate Change
Two hurricanes later, residents of North Carolina aren't so willing to deny the need to do something about the effects of climate change. A Democratic governor and a changing State Legislature have already produced action.
Win-Win Solutions for Climate Protection and Health
The Call to Action on Climate and Health is an ambitious plan to achieve both global climate and health goals. Planners can help identify win-win solutions that provide multiple benefits and so can build broad implementation coalitions.
Trump Administration Eliminates U.S. DOT's Emission Reductions Goals
The Federal Highway Administration recently announced the end of policy requiring state and regional departments of transportation to make goals to reduce emissions and track progress.
How SB 827 'Cleaved the California Environmental Movement'
Even before the bill was defeated, it exposed a major generational divide between anti-development environmentalists and their pro-density, pro-housing heirs.
Three Policy Fixes Could Dramatically Reduce Transportation Emissions and Provide Other Benefits
A new paper makes a compelling case for three simple transportation policy changes that could significantly reducing emissions, congestion and accidents: distance-based vehicle insurance and sales taxes, and parking cash out.
New York's Biggest Challenge for Emission Reduction Goals: Green Building
About 80 percent of New York City's greenhouse gas emissions come from its building stock, so the city's goal to cut emissions 80 percent by 2050 will hinge on aggressive retrofitting requirements in addition to new green building standards.
Implications for Planning Emerge From COP21
The Conference of Parties (COP21) held during the last two weeks in Paris establishes ambitious climate change emission reduction targets. This will be a challenge and opportunity for planners. Here are some highlights.
Climate Change Targets? No Problem! We Have Win-Win Solutions
Ambitious new emission reduction targets can be met with strategies that also help achieve other economic, social, and environmental objectives.
Is Vienna the Quintessential Smart City?
Adie Tomer looks at how Vienna contributes to Europe's smart city movement through innovations in sustainability, place-making, and data utilization.
Yes, We Can Have a Healthy Environment and Economic Development: Reconciling Conflicting Planning Objectives
I am sorry to report that, Canada, my chosen country (I immigrated here in 1993), recently withdrew from the Kyoto Accord, which sets international climate change emission reduction targets. It’s worth noting that this decision was made...
Intercity Bus Travel Outstrips Air and Rail in Growth
A recently released report reveals that intercity bus travel has reversed a decades-long trend of decreased use and shows that the industry is growing at double the rate than air travel, reports Jonna McKone of TheCityFix.
New USDOT Report Identifies Win-Win Transportation Emission Reduction Strategies
On Earth Day the US Department of Transportation released an important new, 605-page report, Transportation's Role in Reducing U.S.
Win-Win Transportation Emission Reduction Strategies: Good News for Copenhagen
Here is good news for anybody looking for smart ways to reduce climate change. "Win-Win" transportation emission reduction strategies can provide substantial energy conservation and emission reductions in ways that also help achieve economic and social objectives.
Socially Optimal Transportation Emission Reduction Strategies
The recently released report, Moving Cooler: Transportation Strategies to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions, which recommends various VMT reduction strategies (also called mobility management, transportation demand management, TDM), has raised debate concerning the best way to reduce climate change emissions. Critics argue that that reducing vehicle travel is difficult and costly to consumers and the economy, and instead support strategies that change vehicle design (increased energy efficiency and alternative fuels).
Moving Cooler Report: Solutions and Criticisms
The new report, Moving Cooler: Transportation Strategies to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions, written by Cambridge Systematics and sponsored by a variety of organizations, identifies several dozen transportation climate change emission reduction strategies, including improvements to efficient modes (walking, cycling and public transit), pricing reforms and smart growth land use policies.
VMT Reductions: An Excellent Idea When Correctly Evaluated
OK Bob – I’ll Take Your Challenge Last year, California, passed SB 375, which requires regional governments to develop smart growth-oriented land use and transportation plans aimed at reducing VMT.
Reductions in Vehicle Miles Traveled a Slow, Difficult Process
Two representatives of a committee charged with implementing reductions in VMT to meet California's SB 375 goals discuss the challenges.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
