Central New Mexico Prepares for Climate Change in Its Long- and Short-Range Metropolitan Transportation Plan

Central New Mexico’s Efforts to Address Climate Change and Population Growth

Introduction

Central New Mexico, which includes Albuquerque, currently has a population of approximately one million people, and rapid population growth is expected in the coming decades. Increasing air temperatures and more frequent droughts are anticipated in the region due to climate change. The combination of population growth and more arid conditions is expected to negatively impact air quality through increased vehicle emissions and more frequent wildfires.

Integration of Climate Considerations into Planning

The Mid-Region Council of Governments (MRCOG) of New Mexico recognized the risks from climate change and consequently integrated climate considerations into transportation and land-use planning. After identifying potential climate impacts and emission reduction options in Central New Mexico, officials invited local stakeholders to participate on advisory committees and attend scenario planning workshops. MRCOG collaborated with federal agencies to use the workshop results as a basis for updating MRCOG’s Long Range Transportation Plan: Futures 2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP).

Expansion of Public Transportation and Pedestrian/Bicycle Accommodations

New Mexico’s progressive planning requires the expansion of public transportation throughout the region and has increased funding to expand service connections. The goal is that 20% of all trips along high traffic corridors occur using mass transit by the year 2040. Additionally, the City of Albuquerque approved an ordinance requiring roadways to better accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists, which is likely to increase foot and bicycle traffic. Finally, MRCOG is only permitting projects that are consistent with the MTP – in other words, which take climate change, land use management, and population growth into consideration – to be funded through the region’s Short Range Planning, Programming, and Implementation – Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).

How did they do it?

Recognized climate risk and population growth as a vulnerability	Applicable EPA Tools
MRCOG recognized the vulnerability of a rapidly expanding population to climate impacts such as wildfires and heat waves, drought, and decreased air quality. During scenario planning, MRCOG received input from the US Department of Transportation, the US Environmental Protection Agency, the University of New Mexico, and other scientists as well as publicly available climate science to inform decision making.	EPA’s Climate Adaptation staff developed a Community-Based Climate Adaptation Handout that helps communities identify how local government services may be vulnerable to changing climate conditions.
Held advisory committees and workshops to engage and educate residents and stakeholders. Developed a Futures 2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan. Made long range Metropolitan Transportation Plan publicly available online. Required that all Short Range Planning, Programming, and Implementation Transportation Improvement Projects must consider climate change, land use, and population growth. Provided climate change information, along with adaptation and mitigation strategies online.	EPA’s Smart Growth program provides resources on how communities can implement smart growth strategies that provide co-benefits to air, water and public health. EPA’s Sustainable Transportation for a Sustainable Future webpage provides resources on methods and techniques communities can use to reduce vehicle emissions.

Recognized climate risk and population growth as a vulnerability

Applicable EPA Tools

MRCOG recognized the vulnerability of a rapidly expanding population to climate impacts such as wildfires and heat waves, drought, and decreased air quality.
During scenario planning, MRCOG received input from the US Department of Transportation, the US Environmental Protection Agency, the University of New Mexico, and other scientists as well as publicly available climate science to inform decision making.

EPA’s Climate Adaptation staff developed a Community-Based Climate Adaptation Handout that helps communities identify how local government services may be vulnerable to changing climate conditions.

Held advisory committees and workshops to engage and educate residents and stakeholders.
Developed a Futures 2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan.
Made long range Metropolitan Transportation Plan publicly available online.
Required that all Short Range Planning, Programming, and Implementation Transportation Improvement Projects must consider climate change, land use, and population growth.
Provided climate change information, along with adaptation and mitigation strategies online.

EPA’s Smart Growth program provides resources on how communities can implement smart growth strategies that provide co-benefits to air, water and public health.
EPA’s Sustainable Transportation for a Sustainable Future webpage provides resources on methods and techniques communities can use to reduce vehicle emissions.

Similar Cases and More Information

To read other similar case studies on how other communities are planning for future air quality read Salt Lake City, Utah Adapts to Improve Air Quality Through Smart Growth and California Prepares for Increased Wildfire Risk to Air Quality from Climate Change. For information on how air quality affects public health visit the Climate Adaptation and Public Health section of the Adaptation Resource Center.

References

The following links exit the site

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs	Targets	Indicators
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.	Not mentioned in the article.
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy	7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.	Not mentioned in the article.
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure	9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.	Not mentioned in the article.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities, and older persons.	Indicator not mentioned in the article.
SDG 13: Climate Action	13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.	Not mentioned in the article.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals	17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.	Not mentioned in the article.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 13: Climate Action
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities, and older persons.
Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

No specific indicators are mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.

Fuente: epa.gov

Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.

About the author

ZJbTFBGJ2T

View all posts

SDGs	Targets	Indicators
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.	Not mentioned in the article.
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy	7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.	Not mentioned in the article.
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure	9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.	Not mentioned in the article.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities, and older persons.	Indicator not mentioned in the article.
SDG 13: Climate Action	13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.	Not mentioned in the article.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals	17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.