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Why is the Annual Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the Transportation Sector Important?

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Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions contribute to climate change. Climate change will amplify existing risks the climate poses to people, ecosystems, and infrastructure. Direct effects in Minnesota include increased heat stress, flooding, drought and late spring freezes. Mitigating GHG emissions from transportation reduces threats to Minnesota's economy, public health, and environment.

Transportation is the leading source of GHG emissions in the U.S. In Minnesota, the transportation sector is the second-largest contributor to GHG emissions behind power plants. Transportation GHG emissions must be reduced for the state to meet emission reductions targets set by the Next Generation Energy Act. The majority of transportation GHG emissions are from internal combustion engines in passenger cars and light-duty trucks. Other transportation GHG emissions come from freight trucks, commercial aircrafts, ships, boats, trains, pipelines, and lubricants.