Report on Hawaii’s Transportation Decarbonization Plan and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction and Strategic Context

The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) has released a draft of its “Energy Security and Waste Reduction Plan,” a comprehensive strategy aimed at the complete decarbonization of the state’s transportation systems by 2045. This initiative represents a significant commitment to SDG 13 (Climate Action) by establishing a clear pathway to a zero-emissions economy. The plan’s development was mandated by the settlement of the 2022 Navahine v. Hawaii Department of Transportation lawsuit, a legal action initiated by youth advocates. This origin underscores the importance of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), demonstrating institutional responsiveness to legal and public demands for climate justice and accountability.

Plan Scope and Impact on Sustainable Infrastructure

The 200-page strategic plan outlines substantial policy and infrastructure transformations across all major transportation sectors. This multi-modal approach is critical for achieving integrated sustainability goals.

1. Aviation: Addressing emissions from air travel.
2. Marine: Targeting decarbonization in maritime transport.
3. Ground Transportation: Focusing on public and private vehicle emissions.

These proposed changes are fundamental to advancing SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) by modernizing state infrastructure for resilience and sustainability. Furthermore, the plan directly supports the creation of safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems, a key target of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Socio-Economic Considerations and Equity

State officials, including House Transportation Committee Chair Rep. Darius Kila, have highlighted the plan’s potential socio-economic impacts and stressed the need for an equitable transition. A central concern is ensuring that the move towards decarbonization does not disproportionately burden residents, aligning with the principles of SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Key equity challenges identified include:

• The financial and infrastructural barriers for families wishing to adopt electric vehicles.
• The inability of non-homeowners (renters) to access renewable energy solutions like rooftop solar.
• The overall impact on the cost of living and equitable access to transportation for all communities.

Addressing these issues is crucial for ensuring that the transition to clean energy is just and inclusive, a core tenet of SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).

Public Consultation and Stakeholder Engagement

HDOT is actively seeking public feedback to ensure the final plan is practical and reflects the realities of Hawaii’s residents. This participatory approach is vital for successful implementation and embodies SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), fostering collaboration between government agencies, counties, and the public. Rep. Kila emphasized that without broad public and inter-agency participation, the plan risks being ineffective. The public is invited to engage through several channels.

Opportunities for Public Feedback

• Virtual Public Information Session: Sunday, July 27, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
• Virtual Public Information Session: Monday, July 28, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
• Written Comments: Submissions can be sent via email to HDOTClimateCulture@hawaii.gov with the subject line “Energy Security & Waste Reduction Plan Feedback” before the July 31 deadline.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

The following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are connected to the issues highlighted in the article:

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  The article focuses on Hawaii’s plan to decarbonize its transportation systems, which involves shifting from fossil fuels to clean energy sources. It mentions the desire for electric vehicles and rooftop solar, directly linking to the goal of increasing the share of renewable energy and providing access to clean energy technology.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  The “Energy Security and Waste Reduction Plan” proposes significant policy and infrastructure changes for aviation, marine, and ground transportation. This involves upgrading and developing sustainable and resilient infrastructure to support a zero-emissions economy, a core aspect of SDG 9.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The plan aims to create a sustainable transportation system for the state. The article mentions concerns about “access to transportation” and the impact on residents, which relates to providing everyone with access to safe, affordable, and sustainable transport systems.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The entire initiative is a direct response to climate change. The plan’s goal to “decarbonize the state’s transportation systems by 2045” and achieve a “zero emissions economy” is a clear climate mitigation strategy. The article explicitly states the plan is part of a settlement from a climate lawsuit brought by Hawaii’s youth.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

  The article emphasizes the role of the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) and the importance of public participation. The call for community feedback through public comment periods and information sessions highlights the commitment to inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making by public institutions.

Identified SDG Targets

Based on the article’s content, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

   The plan to decarbonize transportation and reduce dependence on fossil fuels directly supports this target by promoting energy sources for electric vehicles and other transport modes that are renewable.

2. Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.

   The article describes a strategic plan for “policy and infrastructure changes across aviation, marine and ground transportation” to achieve a zero-emissions economy, which aligns perfectly with this target.

3. Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all.

   The plan addresses Hawaii’s transportation system as a whole. The concerns raised by Rep. Kila about “access to transportation” and the affordability of electric vehicles for all families underscore the relevance of this target.

4. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.

   The “Energy Security and Waste Reduction Plan” is a clear example of a state-level strategy that integrates climate change measures (decarbonization) into transportation policy and planning.

5. Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.

   The article heavily focuses on the public comment period, with HDOT actively seeking “the community’s feedback” and hosting “virtual public information sessions” to ensure the plan reflects the realities of Hawaii residents.

Implied Indicators for Measuring Progress

The article mentions or implies the following indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Indicator for Target 7.2 & 9.4: Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector.

  The primary goal stated in the article is to “decarbonize the state’s transportation systems by 2045” and achieve a “zero emissions economy.” Progress would be measured by the quantifiable reduction in emissions and dependence on fossil fuels over time.

• Indicator for Target 11.2: Availability of and access to sustainable transportation infrastructure.

  The article implies this indicator through the discussion of needing infrastructure for electric vehicles. Progress could be measured by the number of public EV charging stations installed or the percentage of the population with access to sustainable transport options.

• Indicator for Target 13.2: The existence and implementation of a state-level decarbonization strategy.

  The “Energy Security and Waste Reduction Plan” itself serves as the indicator. Its formal adoption and subsequent implementation are direct measures of progress toward this target.

• Indicator for Target 16.7: Level of public engagement in the policy-making process.

  The article explicitly mentions the mechanisms for public participation: “virtual public information sessions” and the submission of comments via email. The number of comments received and attendees at sessions could serve as a metric for this indicator.

Summary of Findings

Source: hawaiinewsnow.com