Climate Goals
San Francisco’s three primary transportation-related climate goals are defined in Chapter 9 of the Environment Code, which calls for:
The SFMTA’s vision is defined in its Strategic Plan: A city of diverse and vibrant neighborhoods seamlessly connected by safe, reliable and affordable transportation for all. This vision is intimately linked with the agency’s climate and equity goals.
1. The city to reach net-zero emissions by 2040. “Net-zero” is defined as a 90% reduction in greenhouse gases compared to 1990 levels. For transportation, the SFMTA seeks to achieve this goal by reducing greenhouse gasses from cars and trucks by 83% from 1990 levels. An 83% reduction from 1990 levels is approximately 1.8 million fewer metric tons of annual greenhouse gas emissions, measured in metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, or mtCO2e, each year compared to 1990 levels, equivalent to the annual emissions of about 400,000 vehicles.
Racial equity is a core part of the SFMTA’s vision. Racial equity is a set of social justice practices, rooted in a solid understanding and analysis of historical and present-day oppression, aiming toward a goal of equity for all. Specific to the transportation sector, racial justice demands that we recognize and reconcile injustices experienced by American Indian, Black, Latinx and other communities of color. We do this in part by centering race when we analyze the impacts of past policies and the potential impacts of future policies. Impacted communities must have the space and resources to envision and implement plans that actively work to address these issues.
“Climate change means a huge impact that is going to be given to my children. It will be a huge effect on the world, not just in the present time.” - Omari, Bayview
2. Increase low-carbon trips to 80% of all trips to, from and within San Francisco by 2030. Low-carbon trips are those taken by walking, biking, transit, electric vehicles and vehicles with three or more people. 3. 25% of all registered light-duty vehicles are electric by 2030, and 100% of all registered light-duty vehicles are electric by 2040. Transportation is extremely energy intensive, so it’s no surprise that transportation is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in San Francisco at 44% the city’s greenhouse gas emissions, of which over two-thirds are from cars and trucks.
Municipal 4% Landfilled Organics 6%
Agriculture 2%
emissions reductions
80% of trips on low-carbon modes
100% light-duty electric vehicles Transportation-related Climate Action Plan Goals
Wastewater 0% Transportation 44%
83%
Public Transit 1% Off-Road 8% Ships and Boats (non-Ferry) 23% Cars & Trucks 68%
Buildings 44% Greenhouse Gas Emissions in San Francisco in 2020 Source: San Francisco Department of the Environment, 2023. 12
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