Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Close-up of lit burner on gas stove with blue flames

Why the Gas Stove Debate Misses the Point

Banning gas-powered appliances is one part of a broader toolkit of changes in building codes that could vastly improve efficiency.

January 18, 2023 - Route Fifty

Solar and Wind Energy

U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Continue Post-Pandemic Rebound in 2022

Renewables generated more electricity than coal in 2022, according to preliminary estimates. Greenhouse gases still rose, however, due mostly to increased emissions from buildings.

January 10, 2023 - Rhodium Group

A sign reads “Sorry No Gas Today”.

Oregon to End Sales of Gas-Powered Vehicles by 2035

There must be something about having a coast on the Pacific Ocean that makes states set policies to accelerate the end of the internal combustion engine.

December 23, 2022 - The Oregonian

A wide highway with a few cars on a gloomy day. Low-rise commercial buildings and more car infrastructure is visible to the side of the road.

Causes and Effects of Widespread Data Center Development

While it’s unlikely to expect local and state governments to insist that data center developments locate somewhere else, specific policy steps can ensure a more positive impact for communities.

December 21, 2022 - The Virginia Mercury

The exterior of a terminal at Orly Airport in France, with a large graphic that reads “Orly Change.”

Paris to Ban Short-Haul Flights to Reduce Emissions

The country of France has been cleared by the European Union to ban specific air travel routes from the Orly Airport near Paris.

December 21, 2022 - Yahoo News

Close-up of white pick-up truck on sales lot from front driver's side; two more trucks behind it

Bigger, More Powerful Cars Cancel Out Improvements in Fuel Efficiency

As carmakers improve the fuel efficiency of some models, many American car buyers are purchasing big trucks and SUVs that still offer low MPGs.

December 20, 2022 - Marketwatch

Mount Rainier

Seattle Mayor Calls for ‘Low-Pollution Neighborhoods’

An executive order signed last week consolidates actions the city plans to take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

December 14, 2022 - The Urbanist

Bus stop with passengers and bus in downtown Seattle

Puget Sound Transportation Plan Fails to Meet Climate Targets

Agency staff says the Puget Sound regional long-range plan won’t achieve 2030 sustainability goals set by the state.

December 6, 2022 - The Urbanist

Houses on green hillside in Marin County, California

Marin County Mandates Building Electrification

Starting January 1, all new buildings in the county must be electric-powered, while multifamily apartment buildings will be required to provide electric car chargers.

November 23, 2022 - Globe St.

Palm Springs

New Scoping Plan Sets Carbon Neutrality Goal for California

California has long led the nation in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A law approved in 2006 still provides direction for the state’s efforts.

November 21, 2022 - Los Angeles Times

View of cars in traffic from behind with visible tailpipe emissions

Comprehensive Transportation Emission Reduction Planning

Many jurisdictions have ambitious greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and are developing plans to achieve them. This column discusses the factors that should be considered in this planning process.

November 17, 2022 - Todd Litman

The High Cost of Free Parking

The United Nations Calls on U.S. Planners to Break Land Use, Transportation Status Quo

“We are on a highway to climate hell with our foot on the accelerator.”

November 13, 2022 - Greater Greater Washington

Freeway Interchange Construction

The Culture Clash at State DOTs Over Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Whether state departments of transportation support or oppose a new rule aimed at reining in carbon emissions in transportation reflects an urban-rural, red-blue divide.

October 27, 2022 - Angie Schmitt

Close-up of back of three cars in a line with smoke coming from tailpipes

Republican States Challenge Highway Emissions Plan

A federal proposal that would require states to monitor and set targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions, praised by Democrats, is being called “unworkable” by many Republican states.

October 24, 2022 - Route Fifty

Orange hazy sky over San Francisco during wildfires

Wildfires Second-Largest Source of Emissions in California

New research quantifies the impact of wildfires on California’s air quality, indicating that bigger and more frequent fires contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.

October 21, 2022 - Yahoo News

A map of Colorado freeways ad highways and towns, focusing on Interstate 25 in Northern Colorado.

Colorado OKs $350 Million for I-25 Expansion

Colorado’s new approach to transportation projects is on display with the funding of a new project to widen an interstate freeway, adding bike and pedestrian infrastructure alongside new toll lanes.

September 21, 2022 - The Coloradoan

Row of white electric cars at charging station

Rise Of Electric Vehicles Makes Good Planning More Crucial Than Ever

There may be plenty of reasons to hail the rise of electric vehicles, including California's policy to ban the sale of gas-powered cars by 2035. But what may be good for the air is not necessarily good for cities.

September 15, 2022 - California Planning & Development Report

Electric car being charged at a station

How the Electric Grid Can Handle All the New Electric Vehicles

A key question of the U.S. approach to greenhouse gas reductions is whether an already stressed electric grid will be able to handle a whole fleet of new electric vehicles.

September 13, 2022 - The Equation

Freeway Interchange Construction

Proposed Rule Would Require Emission Reductions From U.S. Highway System

A recently proposed rule, the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Measure, would require state and regional planning powers to track and reduce emissions from the U.S. highway system.

September 7, 2022 - Transportation for America

Navajo Generating Station, a coal-fired steam plant near Page, Arizona.

The Inflation Reduction Act's Secret Climate Weapon

While the impact on inflation of the questionably-titled Inflation Reduction Act remains to be seen, the law will mitigate the damage done by a landmark Supreme Court case in June that gutted the EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.

September 1, 2022 - The New York Times

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.