BART reports 69% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over past decade

BART has reduced its total greenhouse gas emissions by 69% over the past decade, even as the system expanded by five stations and increased annual train miles by about 11%.

The milestone is highlighted in BART's newly released 2025 Sustainability Report, which marks the final report under the agency's 2015-2025 Sustainability Action Plan. The plan identified 120 sustainability projects across BART, and 80 have now been completed or incorporated into ongoing operations.

"Providing access to clean, reliable transit is one of the most powerful climate actions available to our region," said BART General Manager Bob Powers. "We owe it to this region, and the people who will inherit it, to get this right."

The report highlights sustainability work completed in 2025 as well as progress made throughout the 10-year plan. Among the highlights:

• More than 90,000 LED lights have been installed at BART stations and parking facilities over the past three years, improving energy efficiency while reducing maintenance needs.

• BART was awarded and signed an agreement to install EV chargers at all BART-managed parking facilities.

• Energy use by BART's non-revenue fleet declined 32% in 2025, helped by a new vehicle pool program that allows employees to share vehicles rather than assigning cars to individual departments.

• Electric water heaters were installed at five out of six BART shops.

• BART purchased 32 electric trucks and vans.

• BART launched a new cross-departmental effort to define what resilience means for the agency and identify future initiatives to prepare the system for hazards and disruptions.

• BART continued improvements that make stations easier to reach by walking, biking, and other forms of transit.

The report also highlights BART's role in reducing regional greenhouse gas emissions by providing an electric alternative to driving. Each average BART round trip avoids an estimated 24.4 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions, according to the report.

BART's electricity supply is largely renewable and greenhouse gas-free, thanks to several long-term power purchase agreements with wind, solar, and hydroelectric facilities across the state.

The 2025 report marks the end of BART's first 10-year sustainability action plan. The agency has since released its new 2026-2035 Sustainability Action Plan, which includes 72 action items through 2035 and performance targets through 2030. The plan includes goals to procure 100% renewable power for BART's electricity, conserve water, expand recycling & composting, adopt a Green Procurement Policy, assess climate risks, and expand Transit-Oriented Development at BART stations.

View the full 2025 Sustainability Report