Existing fleets: For existing fleets, move to low-carbon fuel alternatives, or add filters to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and black carbon. If significant pollution reduction measures aren’t available, endeavor to fully retire the vehicle when replacing it to avoid continued pollution under another owner. Explore if “cash for clunkers” or other financial incentive programs exist at the time you are replacing vehicles.

Learn how filters can reduce CO2 up to 90%: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191223122804.htm
Black carbon as a carbon-forcing agent and some recommendations to reduce it: https://oaarchive.arctic-council.org/bitstream/handle/11374/2411/Expert%20Group%20on%20Black%20Carbon%20and%20Methane%20-%20Summary%20Progress%20and%20Recommendations%202019.pdf
Find current US federal grants available to reduce diesel emissions from your fleets through the Diesel Emissions Reduction Grant: https://www.epa.gov/dera
Use the Diesel Emissions Quantifier to evaluate upgrade options for medium- and heavy-duty diesel engines: https://cfpub.epa.gov/quantifier/index.cfm?action=main.home

New vehicles: EVs are fast becoming a first-line approach to support net-zero transportation goals. The cost of EVs has dropped and in some regions is on par with other transportation vehicles. When you’re taking this action, explore new zero-carbon technologies that may have recently become available. There are life-cycle environmental considerations for every vehicle. Since EVs are dependent on electricity for their power, using electricity from renewable sources is imperative to achieve a positive climate outcome.

Learn the considerations and steps to assess your fleet and begin to make the transition to EV: https://www.centricabusinesssolutions.com/blogpost/9-steps-switching-your-fleet-electric-vehicles-ev#Step1 and https://www.energy.gov/eere/femp/electric-vehicles-federal-fleets
Read more on how EV cars are greener than conventional ones across the entire vehicle life cycle: https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/cleaner-cars-cradle-grave
See how the cost of EVs and lithium battery technology has rapidly decreased over time: https://news.mit.edu/2021/lithium-ion-battery-costs-0323 and
Listen to this compelling story on the speed of the clean disruption of technology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y916mxoio0E
See National Grid's roadmap to electrify a fleet: https://www.nationalgridus.com/ev-fleet-hub/

People and practices: How we get from one place to the next is an opportunity for both a healthier lifestyle and less emissions. Urban settings are great environments to do this in, from increasing access to public transportation, going carless or carpooling, creating bike-friendly and walkable cities, and encouraging work-from-home options. Organizations can look at incentives to encourage employees to incorporate new modes of travel to, from, and for work into their routine to reduce their carbon footprint. Employees can take action and invite others to join them. Small changes in individual practices accumulate to move us closer to decarbonization as more and more people take part.

Some countries and governments have put in place tax incentives for companies to encourage commuting. If your organization is in the US, learn more about how to take advantage of the Transportation Equity Act, IRS code 132(f) here: https://rideshare.org/tax-benefits/
Take a look at an organization focused on Shared-Use Mobility and how they are helping cities move towards lower-carbon and equitable mobility options https://sharedusemobilitycenter.org/
When you are unable to avoid air travel - and telecommuting or options like the train don’t work - choose to offset your carbon: https://www.ontheluce.com/carbon-offsetting-flights/

Supply chain: How we move materials to and from us plays a role in reducing our carbon footprint. Logistics companies can reduce their carbon footprint through cleaner fuels, smarter routing and more efficient driving techniques. As consumers, we can buy local or choose delivery options with an eye to the carbon intensity of that delivery. Across the board, there are new opportunities and technologies arriving which will increase the number of miles people and materials travel with a single unit of energy. Whether new cargo ship designs that include on-demand sails, land vehicles that are lighter in design, or high speed electric trains, continuing to invest in R&D around efficient technology and fuels can support the transition to a net-zero future.

In the widely-used Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol, transportation emissions fall under the Scope 1 category (owned sources) and Scope 3 (indirect emissions. Learn more about Scope 3 emissions, and how to identify and reduce them: https://www.carbontrust.com/resources/briefing-what-are-scope-3-emission
Choosing to get our packages direct-to-consumer and next-day will have unintended consequences on our carbon emissions. Take a look at the carbon trade-offs to this convenience: https://venturebeat.com/2021/08/07/removing-consumer-choice-in-the-name-of-sustainability
Check out the CDP - formerly Carbon Disclosure Project - to see how companies and cities are performing on their emissions: https://www.cdp.net/en
Learn some steps to begin a successful freight sustainability program: https://www.epa.gov/smartway/launching-successful-freight-sustainability-strategy
WalMart is actively decreasing its Scope 3 Transportation emissions, and looking to continue this going forward. Read more about their program to get ideas on what your company might do: https://transporttmsandlogisticstms.com/2021/07/20/sustainable-logistics-walmart-will-reduce-co2-emissions-from-the-transport-fleets-from-its-suppliers/ and https://www.coursebb.com/2017/07/28/case-study-walmart-environmental-sustainability/
A look at the future of shipping and what is needed to reduce emissions across the industry: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-future-of-shipping/id1459416461?i=1000505395382

Policies: Systemic changes of our entire transportation system will likely require changes in policies at the level of international, national, regional, and local governments. We take a look at some policy changes that are underway that will lead to changes in fuel fixes, the implementation of charging infrastructure, and more.

Explore the latest US legislation either passed or proposed around the environment: https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2021/climate-environment/biden-climate-environment-actions/
Play with the EN-Roads Climate Simulator to see how different technologies and policies help or hinder us as we seek to stay below 2ºC: https://en-roads.climateinteractive.org/scenario.html?v=21.9.0

For additional actions in the Transportation sector, please visit Project Drawdown’s detailed summary of options at https://drawdown.org/sectors/transportation

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