Sustainable Transportation Certification David Kestenbaum Outreach Professional Senior, University of Vermont Extension Lisa Chase, Ph.D. Natural Resources Specialist, University of Vermont Extension Director, Vermont Tourism Data Center Laura Anderson, Ph.D. Post Doctoral Associate, University of Vermont Rubenstein School
A certification, education and labeling program for the passenger transportation sector (from bicycles & buses to trains & planes)
Climate Change/Global Warming "warming of the climate system is unequivocal," It is predicted that if warming persists, climate change will have a number of negative effects on our planet's physical and biological systems. This, in turn, may put the physical health and safely of billions at risk (IPCC, 2007).
Atmospheric Carbon Pre- 1750 around 1960 Today 280 PPM 315 PPM 392.5 PPM 400 350 300 250 Pre 1750 1960 Today
US GHG Emissions The US must reduce emissions at least 80% below year 2000 levels by 2050) (Union of Concerned Scientists, 2007)
U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions U.S., 5% of the worlds population and in 2006 was responsible for 21% of global emissions GHG emissions from the U.S. transportation sector represents over 5% of global GHG emissions Transportation GHG emissions account for 29% of total US GHG Emissions USDOT, 2010
U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions In 2006 passenger transport generated 73% of transportation GHG emissions. Transportation has been the highest endsector emitter of CO 2 since 1999 Lifecycle costs increase emissions by up to 50%. (USDOT, 2010)
US GHG Emissions The US must reduce emissions at least 80% below year 2000 levels by 2050) (Union of Concerned Scientists, 2007)
Strategies to Reduce Transportation GHG Emissions Low carbon fuels Increasing vehicle fuel economy Improve system efficiency Reduce carbon intensity of travel activity Reduce need for travel USDOT, 2010
Consumer Transportation Choice Price Safety Convenience Customer Service Quality
Eco-Labeling Eco-labels provide more complete information, can provoke environmental consideration in an immediate decision and create better environmental practices through competition.
GCC Pilot Program (no frills)
Project Objectives Assessing the impacts of a pilot green certification program on the attitudes and behaviors of motorcoach operators Studying the impacts of a pilot green certification program on consumer interest and demand for motorcoach travel
GCC Pilot Program ISEAL Standard Setting Process A-1 A-2 A-3 C-1 Define Clear Objectives Define Structure and Process Build a Technical Committee Draft Standards B-1 Identify Potential Stakeholders B-2 Make Stakeholders Aware of Process B-3 Consultation on Draft Standards C-2 Revise the Standards D1 E-1 Field Testing Publication of the Standards Stakeholders Source: International Social and Environmental Accreditation and Labeling Alliance
GCC Pilot Program Certification Criteria 1. Meeting or exceeding the industry average of 148 passenger miles per gallon. 2. Running an EPA 2007 compliant engine. 3. Running an EPA 2010 compliant engine. 4. Offsetting carbon emissions by 80 percent through an endorsed carbon-trading program. 5. Running on an alternative fuel such as a blend of biodiesel. 6. Having a strict, documented, and verifiable energy conservation and recycling program. 7. Incorporating other emerging environmental technologies as prescribed by the GCC.
GCC Pilot Program
GCC Pilot Program
Sustainable Transportation Certification Program A certification, education and labeling program for the passenger transportation sector
Stakeholders, Collaborators, & Partners United Motorcoach Association American Bus Association American Public Transportation Association Union of Concerned Scientist The International Ecotourism Society The United Nations Global Sustainable Tourism Council The Union of Concerned Scientists The Department of Transportation Climate Change Center Numerous Regional Bus Associations The Motorcoach Council American Lung Association
Mission Build awareness and promote the use of transportation options that: Reduce greenhouse gas and other harmful emissions Increase energy efficiency Utilize alternative fuels and new technologies
Methods Recognition of passenger transportation systems, fleets and/or individual vehicles that demonstrate compliance with the program s certification criteria Support of certified operators through public relations, marketing programs, educational programming, and access to labels
Scoring and Certification Level 1 = 100 to 149 Level 2 = 150 to 199 Level 3 = 200 to 299 Level 4 = 300 or greater
Certification Criteria Greenhouse gas emissions per passenger mile Emissions Technologies (criteria pollutants) Alternative fuels Purchase of carbon offset Training programs and idle policies Waste management
GHG Emission Per Passenger Mile Total miles traveled Total fuel consumed Fuel type (e.g., diesel, electric, compressed natural gas) Vehicle type Average passenger load
GHG Emissions Per Passenger A B C D F X<.0253 Kg CO2 EQ PPM.X>.0253 Kg CO2 EQ PPM or <.0506 Kg EQ PPM X>.0506 Kg CO2 EQ PPM or <.1265 Kg EQ PPM X>.1265 Kg CO2 EQ PPM or <.253 Kg EQ PPM X>.253 Kg CO2 EQ PPM Sustainable Zone 75-200 Points
Criteria Pollutants Emission Technologies Points Diesel engine meeting EPA 2007 certification 15 Diesel engine retrofitted to meet 2007 standards 15 Any vehicle that meets the California Air Resource Board Certification for Partial Zero-Emissions 15 Electric hybrid vehicle 20 Diesel engine meeting EPA 2010 certification 30 Zero-emissions vehicle 40
Alternative Alternative Fuel Fuels Propane 5 E85 ethanol 5 Biodiesel B5 5 Biodiesel B20 15 Compressed natural gas 30 Biodiesel B100 35 Hydrogen 50 All electric 50 Points 100% Human Powered 200
Educational Programs Training / Policy Points Eco-driving training 20 Idle-free training and formal policy 20
ECO-DRIVER EDUCATION Eco-driving is: a set of simple driving habits that result in using less fuel, generating fewer emissions, and increasing safety. Eco driving is economical and better for the environment/ecosystem. The typical eco driver can increase fuel efficiency 10-30%.
entage of Carbon Offsets Purchased.9 0.9 Carbon Offsets 1 14.9 2 19.9 3 24.9 4 29.9 5 34.9 6 39.9 7 44.9 8 49.9 9 54.9 10 59.9 11 64.9 12 69.9 13 74.9 14 79.9 15 84.9 16 89.9 17 94.9 18 99.9 19-105 20-120 21-140 22-160 23-180 24 + 25 Points
Waste Management Points Type of waste management Points Energy reduction and recycling at offices and shops 1-10 Recycling waste left behind by customers 10
Marketing Support Website Logoed listings on travel sites Turnkey materials Macro level PR initiative with partners Road-show
Sustainable Transportation Certification Program Launch WINTER 2012
References Anderson, L.E., L.C. Chase, D.Kestenbaum, and C. Mastrangelo. Adopting Sustainable Transportation Practices: The Relationship Between Environmental Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors and Support for Green Certification, International Journal of Sustainable Transportation (in review). Black, William R., and Noriyuki Sato. From Global Warming to Sustainable Transport 1989-2006, International Journal of Sustainable Transportation, Vol. 1, Issue 2, 2007, pp. 73-89. Crist, P. Transport Demand Management: Insights From Eco-Driving and Corporate Mobility Management, International Transport Forum, Leipzig, Germany, May 28-30, 2008. Luers, Amy L., Michael D. Mastrandrea, Katharine Hayhoe, and Peter C. Frumhoff. How to Avoid Dangerous Climate Change: A Target for U.S. Emissions Reductions, Union of Concerned Scientists, 2007, retrieved February 15, 2011 from www.ucsusa.org/assets/documents/global_warming/emissions-target-report.pdf. Lumsdon, Les, Paul Downward, and Steven Rhoden. Transport for Tourism: Can Public Transport Encourage a Modal Shift in the Day Visitor Market? Journal of Sustainable Tourism, Vol. 14, Issue 2, 2006, pp. 139-156. Mastrangelo, C., L.E. Anderson, L.C. Chase, and David Kestenbaum. Green Transportation for Tourism: Assessing Demand for Ecolabels, Compendium of papers for the Transportation Research Board 89th annual meeting, 2010, Report 10-3290. Nathan Associates Inc. Motorcoach Census Update 2009, 2010, retrieved August 24, 2010 from www.buses.org/files/motorcoach%20census%20update%202009.pdf. Potter, Stephen. Exploring Approaches Towards a Sustainable Transport System, International Journal of Sustainable Transportation, Vol. 1, Issue 2, 2007, pp. 115-131. United States Department of Transportation (USDOT). Transportation s Role in Reducing U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Volume 2 Synthesis Report: Report to Congress, 2010, Report 01159301. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2008, 2010, Report 430- R-10-006. United Nations Environmental Program Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Chance (UNEP-IPCC). Working Group I First Assessment Report, 2007. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Trends in Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide, retrieved July 18, 2011 from http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/ccgg/trends/global.html National Park Service. Pacific West Region Green Accomplishments from the Past Year, retrieved July 19, 2011 from http://www.nps.gov/climatefriendlyparks/downloads/green-voice/gv-climate-friendly-region.pdf National Park Service. Climate Friendly Parks Whiskeytown National Recreation Area Action Plan, retrieved July 19, 2011 from http://www.nps.gov/climatefriendlyparks/downloads/action%20plans%20and%20inventories/whis-final-cfp-action-plan.pdf National Park Service. Climate Friendly Parks Cape Cod National Seashore Action Plan, retrieved July 19, 2011 from http://www.nps.gov/caco/parkmgmt/climate-friendly-parks-program-at-cape-cod-national-seashore.htm National Park Service. Climate Friendly Parks Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Action Plan, retrieved July 19 2011 from http://www.nps.gov/climatefriendlyparks/parks/seki.html