Mayor Tom Bates

As Mayor of the City of Berkeley, I am keenly aware of the importance of combating climate change.  In our region, about half of our green house gas emissions come from our reliance on fossil-fuel transportation.

According to Berkeley’s most recent greenhouse gas emissions inventory, vehicle trips (including cars, trucks, buses and motorcycles) within Berkeley city limits account for 47% of Berkeley’s total greenhouse gas emissions, approximately 265,500 metric tons CO2e (MTCO2e) per year in 2005. Gasoline consumption in automobiles is the single largest source of emissions in Berkeley.

In order for the community to achieve its GHG reduction target, transportation related GHG emissions must decline by approximately 30% by the year 2020. To say that achieving this target requires significant change is an understatement. Transportation modes such as public transit, walking and bicycling must become the primary means of fulfilling our mobility needs, and remaining motor vehicle use must be far less carbon-intensive.