California, a state of almost 40 million people, has been a leader in transport decarbonisation issues in the U.S. Through decarbonising trucks and freight vehicles or transforming passenger transportation, Ellen Greenberg, Deputy Director for Sustainability at the California Department of Transportation, has been a key asset in bringing this city to the forefront of the TDA.

“My love for urban environments, plus my basic concern about resource conservation, land conservation, and preservation, and this multidisciplinary perspective really brought me more than a focus on decarbonisation, brought me into sustainability.”

Currently working for the state government of California and after 20 years of working on master planning for the municipal government as a consultant, Ellen has had a very close view to transport.

Today, after becoming the Deputy Director for Sustainability at the California Department of Transportation, Ellen believes that what makes California a leader in transport decarbonisation is California’s climate and decarbonisation activism, which has been rooted in its history of the regulations of emission standards long term efficacy. 

“The air quality and California’s record on the air quality really comes from having bad air quality and being activists. An active state response to the world-famous smog in the Los Angeles basin in the San Joaquin Valley, the central inland valley of California, and, also from, having the early experience of recognizing the connection between auto emissions and smog”. 

Through this Fireside Chat edition with Christopher Dekki, from the TDA Secretariat, please learn more about California’s efforts on transport decarbonisation, through our Fireside Chat with Ellen Greenberg below.

About Ellen Greenberg

Ellen Greenberg has been Deputy Director of Sustainability at the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) since 2016. She was reappointed to the position in 2020. As a member of the Department’s Executive Team, Ellen is responsible for setting sustainability policy and priorities for both the Department’s business operations and for sustainability activities relating to the operation of the State Highway System that supports the world’s fifth-largest economy. Her role includes liaison with Administration and external stakeholders pursuing California’s climate, environmental, and equity goals. Under Ellen’s leadership the Department is focusing on three sustainability priorities: Champion Active Transportation; Advance Clean Fuels, Vehicles and Materials, and Prepare for Climate Change and Extreme Events.