Cost-Effective GHG Reductions through Smart Growth & Improved Transportation Choices

An economic case for investment of cap-and-trade revenues
Center for Clean Air Policy
Transportation and Climate Change Program
June 2009

The Center for Clean Air Policy (CCAP) has analyzed the benefits of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through smart growth, improved transportation choices, and smart transportation pricing. CCAP estimates that comprehensive application of these policy tools according to best practices could reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) per capita by 10 percent and reduce annual GHG emissions 145 MMTCO2 in 2030 — equivalent to the annual emissions of some 30 million cars or 35 large coal plants.1 These GHG reductions would be approximately 6 percent of the 2030 GHG reduction goal proposed in the American Clean Energy and Security Act.2 Our analysis indicates that these reductions can be achieved with significant net positive economic benefits, yielding net savings per ton, when factoring in avoided infrastructure costs, consumer fuel and insurance cost savings and projected tax revenue growth from high value economic development. These positive economic findings hold at local, regional, state and national levels. In this light, many of the GHG reductions from smart transportation choices are not only cheaper than reductions in the utility and petroleum sectors, but also would help ease the cost of compliance on those sectors.

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