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Home , Carbon neutrality

Neutrality

Overview ultimately stabilize and decreasing the As emissions contribute to atmospheric CO2 concentration. Voluntary change Port Authority should try to offset mechanisms work specifically to make reduce its as much as possible. individual project activities carbon neutral. Where feasible, Port Authority could utilize its Port Authority’s Values properties and facilities to generate renewable Equitable, , and purchase clean energy credits to offset agency-wide usage. Analysis Transit agencies produce carbon emissions An organization that is carbon neutral through the operation of their vehicles, as well removes the same amount of as their administrative, maintenance, and it emits into the atmosphere to achieve net- operations facilities. Advancements in transit zero carbon emissions. This is usually vehicle technology continue to reduce carbon accomplished by purchasing carbon offsets or emissions. Many transit agencies are also credits from companies that are carbon reducing their emissions by building new negative to make up the difference. The facilities or retrofitting existing facilities to transportation sector of the ’ Leadership in Energy and Environmental economy accounts for 29% of carbon Design (LEED) standards or higher. emissions. Medium- and heavy-duty trucks, buses, ships and boats, aircraft, and trains According to the definition of the account for approximately 40% of that Intergovernmental Panel on contribution. It is aspirational for Port Authority (IPCC) refers to achieving to achieve carbon-neutral status as it would net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by benefit Allegheny County’s residents, balancing carbon dioxide emissions with employees, businesses, and institutions as well removal or simply eliminating carbon dioxide as the nation and the overall global emissions. Failing to mitigate climate change community. could damage transportation , lead to service disruptions, lead to service Port Authority is a member of the American closures, and slow economic growth. Both Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) corporations and the public are increasingly Commitment initiative, which demanding that public agencies act to address recognizes members becoming more climate change. Carbon neutrality can be sustainable in their operations and practices. achieved by calculating a carbon footprint and The Commitment provides transit agencies reducing it to zero through a combination of with a framework that helps define, initiate, efficiency measures in-house and supporting and advance sustainability in the public external emission reduction projects. The transportation industry. Transit agencies must growing voluntary market should foster a more fulfill the Commitment’s core principles: rapid implementation of widespread policy 1. Strategic Objective: Making sustainability initiatives that will lead to reduced carbon a part of my organization’s strategic emissions. The goal of carbon neutrality is to objectives

2. Champion: Identifying a sustainability surfaces (SRI) to reflect sunlight and champion within my organization reduce cooling costs. coupled with the proper human and/or o Purchasing of credits from carbon neutral financial resources and mandates organizations. Credits from carbon 3. Employee Outreach: Establishing an neutral organizations could be obtained outreach program (awareness-raising through methods other than purchases and education) on sustainability for all such as joint development opportunities, staff of my organization land rights, air rights, or free passage. 4. Inventory: Establishing a base-line Technological advancements will continue to measurement for the organization of the make this goal easier throughout the lift of this following indicators: long-range plan. For example, there is a . Water usage renewed focus on drop-in alternatives in the . Criteria air pollutants transportation industry. Drop-in alternatives . include technologies that can be used with . Energy use (electricity, fuel) existing rolling stock which reduces carbon . Recycling levels/waste emissions. Companies are producing fuels . Operating expense per unlinked from non-fossil sources and from waste passenger trip and vehicle revenue products from other industries which can be mile used in current diesel engines. Advancements . Unlinked passenger trips per capita such as drop-in alternatives continued in the service area of operation enhancements in zero-diesel vehicles, and . VMT per capita in the service area of advancements in power sources for structures operation will increase opportunities for Port Authority to Other projects that could assist in meeting this reduce carbon emissions. goal include: The U.S. Federal government has prioritized the reduction of carbon emissions by o Produce/use through solar and wind projects, such as soliciting organizations that receive federal funding. In solar or purchasing 2019, The U.S. House Committee on Energy agreements and partnerships with Energy and Commerce announced a goal to achieve Savings Companies (ESCOs) (firms that net-zero greenhouse gas pollution by 2050. specialize in implementing energy Several bills were introduced by the House to efficient technologies to provide their support that goal including H.R.3923 - partners with energy savings guarantees). Environmental Justice Act of 2019. On April 21, 2021, the White House released a fact sheet o Reducing energy consumption through energy efficiency projects, such as outlining President Biden’s target of reducing replacing incandescent lighting with greenhouse gas pollution by 50-52% by the energy-efficient LED lighting on all light year 2030. Initiatives that apply to the rail facilities and cars; utilizing wayside transportation sector include reducing carbon energy storage systems (WESS) to pollution by reducing tailpipe emissions and capture, store and reuse energy created increasing vehicle efficiency, providing funding by braking trains; and designing new for charging infrastructure, and spurring structures with solar reflectance index research, development, and implementation of very low carbon new-generation renewable

fuels. Investing in a wider variety of Resources transportation , such as transit, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal rail, and biking improvements, is also critical. Transit Administration American Public Transportation Association Peer Examples Environmental Protection Agency Arlington, VA Global Carbon Project In 2019, the Arlington County Board adopted Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change an update to the original Community Energy Arlington County, VA Plan from 2013. This plan helps Arlington to San Francisco Department of the Environment achieve community carbon neutrality by 2050 Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation by serving as an integrated energy policy and Authority climate action framework. The interim milestones include transitioning to 100% of Arlington’s electricity coming from 100% renewable energy by 2035, Arlington County Government operations running on 100% renewable energy by 2025, and energy equity must be considered during the implementation of the plan.

San Francisco, CA Between 1990 and 2018, the city of San Francisco reduced its footprint by 35%. During the same period, its population increased 22% and economy grew by 172%.

Philadelphia’s SEPTA SEPTA adopted its first-ever Sustainability Program Plan, SEP-TAINABLE, in 2011, as a part of the first-generation plan, and recently implemented its second-generation plan, SEP- TAINABLE 2020. Achievements during the first generation included publishing an Energy Action Plan in 2012, a Climate Adaptation Plan in 2013, a Cycle-Transit Plan in 2015, and an Environmental and Sustainability Management System (ESMS). Their early success and comprehensive approach earned them the APTA “Gold” designation. SEP-TAINABLE 2020 focuses on the encouragement of Transit- Oriented Development through community and regional planning efforts, expanding the ESMS program to additional SEPTA facilities, and creating a Renewable Energy Plan and Stormwater Management Plan.

Level of Effort for Implementation: Low to Moderate