-Michael Ramsey, AEG Fellow
Advanced Energy Group’s Q4 Series focuses on Transportation & Mobility, an important component of urban carbon reduction strategy. The recent IPCC Special Report stresses the need for stronger climate action in the mobility field; the transportation sector accounts for 23% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. With 92% of the transportation industry relies on petroleum, decarbonizing this oil-dependent sector is especially challenging. The IPCC acknowledges there is no silver bullet, but suggests two primary courses of action:
Rapid electric vehicle (EV) growth
Restructuring of the sector to shift and reduce loads
Considering this, Boston’s Q4 series is going to be especially interesting as the city has developed a clear plan for addressing these action-items through Go Boston 2030. Go Boston 2030’s goals are to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 25% while making travel safer and more reliable. The plan encourages EV growth, as well as transformation of the transportation system through reduction of personal vehicle usage. Public transportation and bike networks are intended to become more accessible and reliable.
Boston is committed to multi-sector sustainability; Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge recognized and awarded Boston a leadership award for its bold and practical plans. This award includes a support package of $2.5 million as well as technical expertise to continue deployment of climate actions. Go Boston 2030 will be supported through increased low-carbon mobility choices, such as further developed EV infrastructure.
Additionally, the Volkswagen Settlement for Massachusetts resulted in $75 million to be spent over 15 years. Produced this year through a series of stakeholder input sessions, the Beneficiary Mitigation Plan (BMP) allocates this funding to a number of projects that aim to reduce emissions from the transportation sector. This includes $23.5 million in the first year to implement EV charging infrastructure across Massachusetts and provide 11 electric buses to communities that have made a demonstrated commitment to electrifying their bus fleet.
Proactive action on climate change is rewarded. Please join us for Boston’s Q4 Transportation & Mobility Series on November 15 to discuss exciting new developments and to-be-addressed challenges. We will have a unique group of discussion leaders sharing their insights, including:
James Cater, City Liaison for Energy Efficiency, Eversource Energy
Andrew Brennan, Director of Environmental Affairs, MBTA
Sharon Weber, Deputy Division Director, Air & Climate Programs, MassDEP
Kevin Miller, Director, Public Policy, ChargePoint
Advanced Energy Group is a stakeholder member-supported organization committed to developing and delivering advanced energy policies and solutions in key cities. Stakeholder sessions are by invitation only. For details of our programming please visit:
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