Washington D.C. Establishes Aggressive Carbon Emissions Goals

Washington D.C. officials are doubling down on greenhouse gas reduction goals. D.C.’s Regional Transportation Board pledged to cut carbon emissions by 50 percent before 2030. 

A story from the website DCIst.com outlined what needs to happen for the region to achieve that goal. Among the suggestions are more housing in walkable areas to disincentivize driving and encourage public transportation or biking, and a faster transition to electric vehicles. 

The D.C. region is a heavily-populated area with highways often gridlocked by traffic. According to the article, 14 strategies have been identified to cut emissions from transportation.

Among the suggestions: 

• Making half of new cars electric or fueled by other carbon-free sources by 2030 
• Building an electric vehicle charging network 
• Completing regional trail networks to boost hiking and walking 
• Building 77,000 new homes around transit hubs 
• Cutting travel times on bus and rail 
• Other suggestions include a tax on vehicle miles travelled, free public transit, and fees to drive in downtown D.C. and other areas. 
• Skeptics think the goal is too ambitious, but advocates are happy to see a goal that has been established. 

“We have just eight years to slash our emissions to avoid truly runaway climate change,” says Stewart Schwartz, executive director of the Coalition for Smarter Growth. 

Dave Lubach is managing editor, Facility Market.  

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