MTI Examines Climate Action, Leadership

The Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) explored the climate action potentials of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act compared to President Joe Biden’s American Jobs Plan (AJP) in its new perspective titled Ambitious Action Plan Tackling Climate Change or Finding Common Ground?

The perspective examines the approaches and the proposed financial investments in the two plans.

The AJP aspired to address climate change and build infrastructure fit for the 21^st century along with an attempt to “unify” and “mobilize” the U.S. Meanwhile, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act emphasizes economic growth and competitiveness while building a sustainable economy.

The MTI perspective found that both plans would invest significantly in infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, airports, ports, and waterways.

It also found the bipartisan plan’s $15 billion investment in vehicle electrification is only a fraction of that in the AJP ($174 billion).

The perspective also looks at how new U.S. targets compare to commitments made by other advanced economies.

“Credible climate leadership involves acknowledging and acting on climate inequity­—manifested in a variety of forms, such as lack of access to mobility, higher exposure to climate impacts, and limited adaptive capacity. Global climate leaders have a similar responsibility towards communities set to be hard hit by climate impacts and with meager resources to adapt,” said Dr. Serena Alexander, the perspective’s author.

MTI focuses on increasing mobility by improving the safety, efficiency, accessibility, and convenience of the nations’ transportation system.