Climate Change and the Transportation Sector

The transportation sector of the economy is the leading source of climate-disrupting greenhouse gases. Our region is also experiencing more irregular periods of intense rainfall with associated flood risks. Extremes of heat concentrated in urban environments is another intensifying threat to public health and safety.

Droughts and Wildfires

Some hazardous impacts of global warming such as intensified periods of drought with associated wildfires are already being felt by southwestern communities. These periods of drought and wildfires are projected to increase in risk over the next twenty years. 

In effort to address climate change and improve environmental resiliency in the region as it relates to the built environment, MRMPO conducted the Central New Mexico Climate Change Scenario Planning Project in 2015 and continues to expand these analyses as new data becomes available. The project was a partnership between MRCOG, the Federal Highway Administration, U.S. DOT Volpe Center, and federal land management areas including the Bureau of Land Management, National Parks Service, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. A variety of mitigation and adaptation measures were developed that continue to be relevant. This information is included in the following documents:

Climate Change Project Summary Documents

• Central New Mexico Climate Change Scenario Planning Project Final Report (PDF) (EMI/UNM) – Summary of findings and recommendations from the climate change project
• Integrating Climate Change in Transportation and Land Use Scenario Planning: An Example from Central New Mexico (PDF) (US DOT Volpe Center) – Review of the planning process and recommendations for further incorporating climate change analysis into regional transportation and land use planning

Climate Change Project Integration Plan

The Integration Plan explores potential implementation strategies for the following policy focus areas: Transportation Climate Change Adaptation Assessment; Mitigating GHG Emissions from Electricity Generation; Incentivizing Transit-Oriented Activity Centers; Regional Support for Travel Demand Management; and Open Space Preservation Programs and Policies.

View the MRCOG Integration Plan (PDF).