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Media Background for Secretary Buttigieg’s Trip to COP26
Tuesday, November 9, 2021
On the heels of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal passing through Congress, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, from November 9-11 as part of the U.S. delegation. This year, COP26 will include the first-ever Transport Day, highlighting what needs to be done specifically in the transportation sector to both cut carbon emissions and build infrastructure resilient to our changing climate. Secretary Buttigieg will participate in a number of COP26 events including:
* Wednesday, November 10th 1:30 - 2:30 PM GMT: Coming Back Greener: Clean Transportation (livestream )
* Secretary Buttigieg will be in conversation with climate scientist Katherine Hayhoe
* Wednesday, November 10th 4:30- 5:00: Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance (SABA) event
The Secretary will also participate in a number of bilateral meetings and other announcements are expected during the course of his visit.
In addition to work at COP26, Secretary Buttigieg has been leading the U.S. Department of Transportation since his Senate confirmation in February 2021 in its efforts to help carry out the Biden-Harris administration’s ambitious climate goals. Not only has he led the Department in championing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, the most significant infrastructure plan to deal with curbing carbon emissions in the country’s transportation sector, Secretary Buttigieg is also incorporating environmental initiatives into other Department responsibilities.
U.S. Government Commitments to Fighting Climate Change in the Transportation/Infrastructure Sector:
* The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, a once-in-a-generation investment in U.S. infrastructure that advances President Biden’s climate agenda .
* Makes the largest federal investment in public transit ever, and the largest investment in passenger rail since Amtrak was created.
* Invests $7.5 billion to create a national network of electric vehicle charging stations and more than $10 billion for low- and no-emission buses.
* Includes $17 billion for ports—including $2.25 billion for the Port Infrastructure Development Program and $400 million for a new program to reduce idling trucks at port facilities—and $25 billion for airports, to drive electrification and other low-carbon technologies.
* Makes significant funding increases to INFRA and RAISE discretionary grant program, with new criteria considering climate change and equity.
* Invests in Transportation Alternatives Program and Safe Streets and Roads for All, helping make streets safer for those walking, biking, and rolling.
* Set a target of 50% electric vehicle sales share in 2030, and aligned ambition among automakers and the United Autoworkers (UAW).
* DOT and EPA are advancing smart fuel efficiency and emissions standards that can reduce around two billion metric tons of carbon pollution.
* Accelerating the deployment of electric vehicles and chargers and moving the U.S. federal fleet to zero-emission vehicles, the largest civilian vehicle fleet in the world.
* The U.S. Methane Emissions Reduction Action Plan , an ambitious, whole-of-government initiative that uses all available tools to identify and cost-effectively reduce methane emissions from all major sources, including from the oil and gas industry, landfills, and abandoned mines. This includes a final rule from PHMSA that, for the first time ever, will require pipeline operators to report safety information for all gas gathering lines, representing more than 425,000 additional miles covered by Federal reporting requirements.
* Providing federal funding for zero-emission and low-emission transit buses , Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) infrastructure projects , clean school buses , renewable biofuel infrastructure , and more.
* Coordinating leadership and innovation across the federal government, aircraft manufacturers, airlines, fuel producers, and more to produce three billion gallons of sustainable fuel and reduce aviation emissions by 20% in 2030 .
* Investing hundreds of millions of dollars in reducing emissions and improving air quality at U.S. airports with electric charging infrastructure and airport equipment and spurring development of sustainable air traffic control towers.
* FAA and NASA are finishing work on software that gets planes rolling directly to runway, reducing fuel burn and taxi time, which can save more than 7 million gallons of fuel each year and eliminate more than 75,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually .
For more on the Biden administration’s whole-of-government approach to tackling the climate crisis while creating jobs and putting the U.S. on a path to a clean energy future, click here .
