Sierra Club Responds to City of Boston Climate Action Plan Update, Calls For All New Buildings in Boston to be Net Zero and All-Electric

BOSTON, MA -- Yesterday, Mayor Marty Walsh released the City of Boston’s 2019 Climate Action Plan update, which includes a commitment for all new municipal buildings to achieve a net zero carbon emissions standard. The updated plan maps the course for the city’s emission reductions efforts over the next 5 years in the buildings, transportation, electricity, and waste sectors. 

The updated plan seeks to accelerate decarbonization of the City’s building sector, which accounts for 70% of its carbon emissions, by including a net zero carbon building performance standard for large buildings. It also includes recommendations to advocate for Boston’s priority transit projects, and support the deployment of zero-emissions vehicles and municipal fleet transition to zero and low-emission vehicles. Additionally, the updated plan aims to implement the City’s community choice aggregation program and plan for deployment of carbon-neutral district energy microgrid systems.

Massachusetts Sierra Club Chapter Director Deb Pasternak issued the following statement in response:

“We commend the City of Boston for committing all new municipal buildings to be constructed to net zero carbon emissions. This is a step in the right direction toward achieving a Carbon Free Boston. However, in order for the City to reach its climate goals, we must go beyond municipal buildings and require all new residential and commercial buildings to be electrified and net zero carbon emissions. How does keeping gas in our buildings while we’re supposed to be “net-zero” carbon emissions make sense? We can’t have one or the other. We look forward to working with the City to ensure we move beyond gas and prioritize equitable clean energy solutions in the building, transportation, and energy sectors, creating a healthier city for all.”