Q&A with Micheal Kodransky, Ceres Senior Director of Clean Transportation

This is the first in a series of Q&As with the Ceres experts who are engaging with companies to decarbonize six of the highest-emitting sectors of the economy. 

Transportation is the single largest source of U.S. climate emissions—and the fastest growing. Michael Kodransky, Ceres’ Senior Director of Clean Transportation, talks about the challenges and opportunities as this critical sector pivots to an electric future.    

Q: Why is the decarbonization of the transportation sector so important and what is needed? 

A: The majority of the sector’s emissions stem from road transport—the cars and trucks we rely on--followed by aviation, maritime, and rail, which all drive economies worldwide. Given the significant contribution of transportation emissions not just in the U.S. but globally and how central transporation is to economic prosperity, tackling transportation emissions requires effort from every single actor—the state and federal government, the private sector, investors, civil society partners.   

But this shift to a clean economy means that, beyond transitioning to electric vehicles, we have the opportunity—and really the imperative if we’re going to slash carbon emissions--to think creatively about how to improve conditions that make it easier, safer, cheaper, and more appealing to walk, bike, and take public transit.  

Q: What are the biggest successes you have seen in recent months in decarbonizing the transportation sector? 

A: With passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act, the U.S. is expanding clean transportation access and options. Regions are receiving historic levels of federal funding to invest in walking, cycling, and transit development, replacing highways with boulevards, and expanding charging infrastructure. Especially in the U.S., the majority of road trips stem from people driving alone due to policies and infrastructure investments that have left them with limited alternatives for getting around. Continued leadership from public officials, agency staff, local communities, investors, and private sector innovators is needed. Cities and states are working alongside the private sector to deliver on the historic investments that advance community needs and just economies.  

Q: What projects and technology are you most excited to see that will assist in further decarbonization? 

A: I’m looking forward to all the new, fun, and innovative car, van, and truck designs that are built for more walkable, rideable cities. I’m also excited about the continued development of mobility-as-a-service apps that consider where a person needs to go and dish up different transportation options available to them, such as bikes, rides share, or trains, along with the costs of each one. These schemes promise to expand people’s options, making travel easier and more affordable, while nudging toward lower emission modes. Lastly, I’m excited that public transit will continue to expand in the U.S. and function at a service standard level that can get people to where they need to be more efficiently, reliably and comfortably in fewer vehicles. 

Q: Where do you see the biggest challenges? 

A: The historic levels of public and private investment we’re seeing in a clean, resilient economy and in upgrading U.S. infrastructure are exciting. The challenge is making sure these projects are being implemented in a way that truly lowers emissions and leads to more equitable outcomes for communities. In some instances, local technical capacity is still catching up with the investments to assure implementation excellence, including involving local communities in the process. On the technological front, certain innovations critical to part of the sector that are hard-to-abate are still in the process of reaching maturity, such as zero-emission long-haul trucks and use of hydrogen for aviation and ships. With electric vehicles taking off, automakers need to focus on phasing more sustainable steel and battery supply chains into their production.  

Every tactic is needed to bend the curve on emissions while sustaining livelihoods and well-being of all. Lobbying efforts from fossil fuel and biofuel industries are working to stymie climate action by promoting roadblocks to the advancement of technology innovation and the implementation of mobility infrastructure solutions that would make the U.S. economy more resilient, competitive globally, and a job creator. 

Q: What drew you to your work in the transportation sector? 

A: I studied urban planning with a focus on transportation and environmental sustainability, seeing the fundamental way mobility determines where a person lives and works—essentially where they can go in life. Mobility is the tissue that connects people, goods, and places. It was clear to me how fundamental access to affordable, reliable, and clean transportation is to ensuring good livelihoods for all.  

My interest in this connection began at a moment when the world was projected to reach a population of 7 billion, with the majority of people living in cities. This is a key shift—for all of history, more people lived in rural areas than in cities. By the time economies realize their net zero targets in 2050, the world population is projected to reach 10 billion, with 75% living in cities. Alongside this global population growth, vehicle use is projected to continue growing—which will further exacerbate the climate crisis and equity issues unless we shift policies and paradigms. Existing transportation infrastructure and management needs to change to enable thriving communities and sustainable economies.  

Read more about some of the work being done at Ceres to decarbonize the transportation sector.