Over a third of all CO² emissions in the United States come from our transportation system, which is the largest in the world, and the fastest growing source of CO² emissions in the U.S. economy . Serious efforts to mitigate the risks of climate change cannot ignore transportation. To reduce transportation-related emissions requires better links between where people live, work, learn and play. This means changing how we make decisions about investments in roads, bridges, transit lines, and new developments. It also means making all forms of transportation – driving, biking, walking, and public transportation – safer, more affordable, and more efficient for everyone.

Given its transportation infrastructure, Metro Boston has the capacity to be among the top, if not the top US metro to live in without a car. However, current zoning and land use patterns in Massachusetts, combined with the ways we plan, build, and maintain our transportation infrastructure are increasing sprawl, making us more car dependent, and creating some of the worst traffic in the nation. If left unaddressed, vehicle-related emissions will continue to climb – effectively negating any benefits from reductions gained through other approaches to reduce vehicle emissions, such as cleaner fuels and more fuel-efficient vehicles.

Focus Areas

Barr’s Transportation and Smart Growth investments are currently focused on a combination of long-term and shorter-term efforts. Our long-term efforts are concentrated on building and strengthening networks to provide education and advocacy related to transportation and land use policy. Our shorter-term investments aim to demonstrate how communities can become more connected, more integrated with high-quality transportation options, and where our entire transportation network (which includes, but is no longer so limited to driving) operates more efficiently.

Desired Outcomes

Through Barr’s Transportation and Smart Growth investments, we seek to contribute to the following outcomes:

• A substantial reduction of vehicle-related greenhouse gas emissions
• Adaptation and adoption of effective Metro Boston approaches in other communities nationally

Measures

To evaluate progress towards these outcomes, we pay attention to the following:

• Improved alignment of Massachusetts advocates pressing for reform of state and federal transportation and land-use policies, practices, and financing
• State policies that set sufficiently aggressive GHG reduction targets
• Creation of more and more “Great Neighborhoods,” where residents have easy, safe, efficient access to their places of work, worship, shopping, and recreation – whether they choose to travel by foot, bike, car, or public transportation.
• Learning networks of foundations, nonprofits, and civic leaders to share effective practices and lessons learned, and to learn from their regional and national counterparts

An Invitation

While Barr does not accept unsolicited grant proposals, we welcome new ideas for improving our strategies and advancing our goals. If you wish to share your insights, experience, and creative ideas, we invite you to e-mail us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).