Ascent assisted the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) with preparing a Climate Action and Adaptation Plan that identifies specific actions VTA can take to minimize contributions to climate change and achieve carbon neutrality, as well as to adapt and build resilience to long-term climate impacts. As part of this effort, Ascent quantified VTA’s and Santa Clara County’s transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions and identified measures to reduce VTA’s contribution to climate change by reducing GHG emissions from its own operations and in partnership with other agencies and the community. Ascent also partnered with Pathways Climate Institute to conduct a vulnerability assessment that identified the risks to transportation assets from climate change impacts.
The CAAP provides an assessment to understand how essential infrastructure systems are exposed or susceptible to adverse climate impacts that likely could disrupt VTA service, lead to increased congestion and lower air quality, and disproportionately impact disadvantaged communities. Disadvantaged communities are of particular importance, as they depend more on transit and are less able to prepare for or recover from an extreme weather event.

California AEP – Climate Change Document Award (2025)
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