The Minnesota Department of Transportation recently released its fifth annual Sustainability and Public Health Report.
The report highlights progress toward the agency’s sustainability and climate goals and includes additional transportation resilience and public health measures. It is based on 2020 data.
“Transportation remains the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. and Minnesota, which is why MnDOT is committed to doing our part to create a low-carbon future for our state,” Tim Sexton, assistant commissioner and chief sustainability director, said. “This includes partnering with the external Sustainable Transportation Advisory Council and developing climate policy solutions through the Governor’s Climate Change Subcabinet and the internal MnDOT Sustainable Transportation Steering Committee.”
MnDOT is required by state statute to reduce carbon pollution from transportation, meet the state’s energy and environmental goals, and prioritize walking, bicycling, and transit.
Achievements included converting 97 percent of highway lighting to LED; reducing MnDOT’s water use by 27 percent, 12% higher than the goal; and reducing emissions from MnDOT facilities by 39 percent, 9 percent higher than the goal.
MnDOT is not on track to meet emission reduction goals by 2025 for the transportation sector.
The department’s goal is to meet 90 percent of bicycling needs. It has reached 62 percent.