Pathways to Decarbonizing Transportation Report

Strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from cars, trucks, and buses in Minnesota.

Pathways to Decarbonizing Transportation in Minnesota is a new report that aims to get the State of Minnesota on track to meet future goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the 2007 Next Generation Energy Act.

The Pathways report includes a number of action items that MnDOT will pursue, including the creation of a Sustainable Transportation Advisory Council, regional collaboration on electric vehicle corridors, and analyzing GHG emissions in transportation projects.

Pathways makes additional state-level recommendations, including adoption of clean car standards that would require auto manufacturers to offer more models of EVs in Minnesota to improve consumer choice and help build the market for new and used EVs in the state.

To obtain public input on the topic, the Great Plains Institute facilitated meetings across the state and provided an online survey and webinar for additional feedback. Several themes emerged, including:

• A recognition of the climate crisis and a need for swift action
• The need for more transportation options
• Environmental justice and equity to be at the center of climate action
• Integration of transportation solutions with energy creation, land use choices and state/local policy

Pathways was funded by MnDOT and the Environmental Quality Board, and the project steering committee included the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Minnesota Department of Agriculture and Minnesota Department of Commerce. Staff from the McKnight Foundation provided technical expertise; Energy and Environmental Economics conducted modeling; and the Great Plains Institute facilitated stakeholder and public engagement.