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Our Objective

Portsmouth TCAG (Transportation and Climate Action Group) is a group of residents committed to sustainable transportation in Portsmouth. TCAG is a subcommittee of Seacoast Climate Action Now (Seacoast CAN). Sustainable transportation provides safe and affordable travel options for all while protecting the environment and supporting a prosperous local economy. 

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At 27% the transportation sector is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), according to the EPA. TCAG is developing ideas for low carbon transportation as input to the new Portsmouth Climate Action Plan (CAP) and researching best practice transportation strategies in CAPs in peer communities around the country.

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Working Toward a Walkable & Bikeable City

In August 2025, the City of Portsmouth published an update to the City's Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. This Plan outlines strategies that will enable the City to fulfill a vision of comfortable walking and biking for all who live, work, and visit Portsmouth.

 

This Plan was developed over the course of a year between April 2024 and April 2025 and was informed by data-driven metrics as well as input from members of the

community, including representatives from City departments, public schools, advocacy organizations, state government, local businesses, and regional agencies, among other organizations. It reflects best practices in bicycle and pedestrian facility design, which have evolved since the last Plan was completed in

2014.

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Click here to download the updated plan.

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Get your walk-and-roll on! 

Download the map of the NH Seacoast Greenway

Community Conversation on Transportation and Climate Change #2

December 2024

Portsmouth Climate Action Plan - Next Steps

 

  • Event Details: (Click through for the poster)  Thursday, December 5, 2024, 6:30-8:00 pm, Levenson Room, Portsmouth Library.
     

  • Sponsors:  Seacoast Climate Action Now/Portsmouth Climate Action/Transportation and Climate Action Group in partnership with the Portsmouth Library and Portsmouth Sustainability Committee.

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  • Speakers:  COAST public transit, Seacoast Area Bike Riders (SABR) and Rockingham Planning Commission
     

  • Agenda & Slides (Click through for the slides): Community conversation on next steps to implement the transportation recommendations in the new Portsmouth Climate Action Plan and related co-benefits, including improved access to affordable housing.​

Resources

Portsmouth's Climate Future
Updates on work being done with the City of Portsmouth Planning Department

Portsmouth Climate Action Plan
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C&J Parking and Sustainable Transportation on the Seacoast
Seacoast Online article

Strategies & Best Practices

TCAG members developed a summary report and presentation exploring transportation strategies that can contribute to greenhouse gas emission reductions in the 2024 Portsmouth Climate Action Plan and to broader community sustainability.  The report provides a Portsmouth context, peer best practices, and recommendations for the following strategies:
 

  • Shared Mobility and Public Transit Expansion

  • Bike and Pedestrian Improvements

  • Electric Vehicles

  • Combined Land Use and Transportation Planning

  • Community Engagement

Community Conversation on Transportation and Climate Change #2

December 2024

Portsmouth Climate Action Plan - Next Steps

 

  • Event Details: (Click through for the poster)  Thursday, December 5, 2024, 6:30-8:00 pm, Levenson Room, Portsmouth Library.
     

  • Sponsors:  Seacoast Climate Action Now/Portsmouth Climate Action/Transportation and Climate Action Group in partnership with the Portsmouth Library and Portsmouth Sustainability Committee.

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  • Speakers:  COAST public transit, Seacoast Area Bike Riders (SABR) and Rockingham Planning Commission
     

  • Agenda & Slides (Click through for the slides): Community conversation on next steps to implement the transportation recommendations in the new Portsmouth Climate Action Plan and related co-benefits, including improved access to affordable housing.​

Resources

Portsmouth's Climate Future
Updates on work being done with the City of Portsmouth Planning Department

Portsmouth Climate Action Plan
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C&J Parking and Sustainable Transportation on the Seacoast
Seacoast Online article

Community Conversation on Transportation and Climate Change #1

June 2023

Community Conversation On Transportation, Smart Growth And Climate. June 29, 2023
Download the meeting summary

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Portsmouth Smart Growth, Portsmouth Climate Action, and the Transportation and Climate Action Group cosponsored this conversation to discuss how transportation choices are major sources both of greenhouse gas emissions (20-30%) and potential reduction strategies. We addressed the question: Are there smart transportation and land use choices that reduce emissions, for example, by providing attractive and affordable new forms of mobility, make walking and biking safer, encourage electric vehicles, or improve accessibility choices for new development?

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This is the first in a series of small and informal Community Conversations organized by Portsmouth grass roots organizations as part of community engagement for the Climate Action Plan (CAP). The conversations will address the urgency of the Climate Crisis through support for developing and implementing the CAP as individuals, neighborhoods, businesses, the city, and Seacoast region.​

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Planning Principles

TCAG applies the following principles to develop sustainable transportation strategies and reduce GHG emissions in Portsmouth:

  • Balance Environment, Economy, Equity goals (3 Es)

  • Take a systems approach to transportation to improve:

    • Connectivity among all types of transportation 

    • Performance of the overall multimodal system

  • Shift to modes that reduce Vehicle Trips and Miles Travelled

  • Transition to Electric Vehicles and alternative fuels 

  • Understand and promote transportation co-benefits (affordability, accessibility, health, safety, and livability)

  • Engage the community in developing more sustainable transportation choices

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CONTACT US
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Please contact TCAG for more information or to get involved with the group: portsmouthTCAG@gmail.com."

TAKE ACTION NOW!

  • ​Patronize the restaurants offering reusable takeout containers and spread the word on social media.

  • Send the case study to your town or city council, businesses and chamber of commerce asking them to support the expansion of reusable infrastructure in restaurants. 

  • Patronize the businesses in our Sustainability Resource Directory

Bright Action logo

Bright Action is a software app that can help you learn about climate change solutions, take action, and track your progress to reduce your carbon footprint.  It's free.  Click here to learn more and sign up.

  • Start composting and reduce food waste and waste generally.

  • Shift to biking, walking, ride-sharing, and limit your use of gas vehicles.

  • Sign up for Portsmouth Community Power and choose a higher renewable energy option (and still cheaper) at https://www.communitypowernh.gov/portsmouth 

  • Check to see if you qualify for an energy audit and discount home insulation at https://nhsaves.com/ 

STAY ENGAGED

Please join the Climate Action mailing list to receive our newsletter and other climate related announcements.

SUPPORT OUR WORK

Seacoast NH Climate Action Now is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization run by volunteers.  Your donation supports the work of our committees, and our access to the Bright Action platform.  

THANK YOU!


Thanks to the wonderful donors who have been so supportive of Seacoast CAN's efforts, especially during the NH Gives event! It means so much for the Projects to feel that support. Amongst them, Portsmouth Climate Action continues their community climate conversation outreach. Individuals in the Sustainable Transportation project have worked their magic on the Bicycle and Pedestrian City Plan. Thanks to all of you for doing what you can to be kind to our planet and improve our health and the health of the NH seacoast by drawing down those greenhouse gases. 

 

Please send climate event information for the NH Seacoast area to seacoastnhcan@gmail.com.

We would love to use these web pages to help get the word out about your events.

CONTACT US

Thanks for submitting!

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seacoastnhcan@gmail.com

© 2025 SEACOASTNHCAN.  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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