Ranking the Climate Impact of Transportation in the 100 Largest U.S. Metro Areas

This performance ranking separates the fakers from the legit operation to reduce carbon emissions from transportation.

1 minute read

January 21, 2020, 6:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Manhattan, New York City, New York

dibrova / Shutterstock

Streetlight Data released its "2020 U.S. Transportation Climate Impact Index," which ranks the 100 largest metropolitan areas on climate impact using performance-based transportation metrics.

As explained in an article that introduces the index, the rankings boil down to the difference between car travel and low-carbon alternative modes of travel. Thus, the number one metropolitan area probably won't come as a surprise: New York City-Newark-Jersey City. Coming in second is San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, and coming in third is Madison, Wisconsin.

Streetlight Data released a package of data and articles to help offer insight into the details of the index beyond the rankings. So the entire list of metropolitan areas and rankings by key metrics in the index are also available.

The decline of the coal industry in recent years has pushed transportation to the top of the list as the largest emitter of greenhouse gas by sector. Streetlight Data puts a finer point on the origins of that leading source of greenhouse gases.

Friday, January 17, 2020 in Streetlight Data

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Aerial view of downtown San Antonio, Texas at night with rotating Tower of the Americas in foreground.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion

The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

July 3, 2025 - Governing

White park shuttles with large Zion logo on side and red rock cliffs in background in Zion National Park.

Since Zion's Shuttles Went Electric “The Smog is Gone”

Visitors to Zion National Park can enjoy the canyon via the nation’s first fully electric park shuttle system.

6 hours ago - Reasons to Be Cheerful

Chart of federal transportation funding comparing Biden and Trump administration spending.

Trump Distributing DOT Safety Funds at 1/10 Rate of Biden

Funds for Safe Streets and other transportation safety and equity programs are being held up by administrative reviews and conflicts with the Trump administration’s priorities.

7 hours ago - Transportation for America

Close-up on yellow and black TAXI sign on top of beige car in central Munich, Germany.

German Cities Subsidize Taxis for Women Amid Wave of Violence

Free or low-cost taxi rides can help women navigate cities more safely, but critics say the programs don't address the root causes of violence against women.

July 15 - Bloomberg