More About DOT Climate Change Center

The DOT Climate Change Center is the focal point for policy and action on climate change within the Department.  The Center is co-chaired by the policy and research units within the Office of the Secretary of Transportation (OST) and its membership is comprised of the DOT operating administrations and OST offices.

Through strategic research, policy analysis, partnerships, coordination and outreach, the Center creates comprehensive and multi-modal approaches to reduce transportation-related greenhouse gases (GHG) and to improve the resilience of the transportation system to climate change impacts.  The DOT Climate Change Center plays a key role in implementing the climate and sustainability goal in the US DOT Strategic Plan. 

USDOT established the DOT Climate Change Center in 1999.  The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-140), Section 1101, formally established the Center as the Office of Climate Change and Environment.  

It is codified in 49 USC Section 102(g):

"(g) Office of Climate Change and Environment.—

(1) Establishment.—There is established in the Department an Office of Climate Change and Environment to plan, coordinate, and implement—

(A) department-wide research, strategies, and actions under the Department's statutory authority to reduce transportation-related energy use and mitigate the effects of climate change; and

(B) department-wide research strategies and actions to address the impacts of climate change on transportation systems and infrastructure.

(2) Clearinghouse.—The Office shall establish a clearinghouse of solutions, including cost-effective congestion reduction approaches, to reduce air pollution and transportation-related energy use and mitigate the effects of climate change."

View the Center’s original charter and strategic plan.